Ship of Fools: Anglo-Catholic Churches in Chicago

Thread: Anglo-Catholic Churches in Chicago Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by BulldogSacristan (# 11239) on :

I'm traveling to Chicago in a few weeks, and I'd like to attend a good Anglo-Catholic mass there. It seems like Atonement and Ascension are the two best bets. Which one would be better to attend? I didn't get too good of a read on either parish from their websites. (Atonement has a ton of assisting priests from the looks of it!)

Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :

IMHO, you can't go wrong with either place. The only subtle distinction that comes to mind is that Atonement has affiliated clergy who also happen to be female, while Ascension does not, intentionally so, from what I hear. (That said, the impression I.got is that many there would not be opposed.)

I do have a special place in my heart for the organ at Ascension, and the organist is phenomenal, but the organist at Atonement is certainly proficient as well.

To me, Atonement has more of a local parish feel, but Ascension feels more destination church. That said, this is just my perception and I'm sure they both have their share of each group.

Location and transportation may be a factor. Ascension is centrally located, while Atonement is far north. If you're taking the Red Line, both are easily accessible. If you're driving, Ascension has its own sizeable parking lot. Atonement has its own small.lot, and you will be double, triple, and quadrupe parked in there

As to the number of assisting clergy, there were ten priests assisting the last time I was at Atonement. There might be one or two at Ascension. A priest acquaintance of mine told me that Atonement is where diocesan retirees retire. (And I'm fairly sure a double meaning was intended!)

If you're there on weekend, I believe Ascension has a Saturday morning liturgy. You could maybe see both. I suppose there's always Evensong and Benediction, too.

Posted by Jon in the Nati (# 15849) on :

Both are fantastic. I can attest, though, to what Olaf says: Ascension does have more of a destination, shrine-church feel to it. Not that such should deter you, though.

Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :

In hindsight, I should have posted that at the 11am liturgy, you cam expect west-facing celebration at Atonement and east at Ascension. Don't let either deter you, though.

Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :

Although my last visits to both locations were many years ago, my impressions at the time square with those offered by others here.
[Votive]

Posted by LQ (# 11596) on :

This always bears repeating. Conspicuously absent is St Paul's-by-the-Lake, though.

Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :

quote:
Originally posted by LQ:
This always bears repeating. Conspicuously absent is St Paul's-by-the-Lake, though.

I'm very familiar with Ascension and somewhat familiar with Atonement but haven't yet visited St. Paul's. Hope to remedy that sometime this summer.

Ascension and Atonement will both be good liturgical experiences. Atonement has a busier, slightly more extroverted feel to it; Ascension has a quieter, more contemplative one (some say monastic). I'd of course recommend Ascension. [Cool]

Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :

quote:
Originally posted by LQ:
This always bears repeating. Conspicuously absent is St Paul's-by-the-Lake, though.

Funny you should mention that. An Anglo-Catholic friend of mine, well-connected within the diocese, has several times recommended St. Paul's-by-the-Lake as a place for me to check out. Honestly, the only reason I have yet to do so is that it's on the far, far north side, which is a pain in the aspersorium to reach, even by car, from my neck of the woods. It's on my to-do list, though.

No matter where St. Paul's stands, I'm just going to go out on a limb and say that it's probably better for Bulldog to check out Atonement or Ascension first--preferably both! They are the more (in)famous of Chicago's AC haunts. (I still wait to see whether St. Paul's will fall into the 'best kept secret' category!)

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

I was in Chicago last autumn and I searched out Ascension. I noticed there is an interesting looking free church opposite called La Salle Street Church. I was able to get to the 09:30 at La Salle Street and then cross the road for the 11:00 at Ascension. After the joy and variety at the first service, I was left cold by the rather distant and clinical catholicism over the road. I also stood in the cafe and drank a cup of coffee and ate some biscuits without anyone approaching me to find out who this stranger was. La Salle Street had doughnuts with their coffee and you couldn't get away from interested locals.
AC worship doesn't have to be like that; so I'd give Ascension a miss next time.

Posted by ChippedChalice (# 14057) on :

quote:
I was left cold by the rather distant and clinical catholicism over the road.

I'm a member of Ascension. I want to apologize to Hairy Biker for the lack of welcome he received last Autum when he visited. If it is any consolation, this is a problem we are trying to work on.

Nevertheless, I also want to encourage BulldogSacristan to visit us - perhaps we can do a better job of being welcoming. (And our worship and music really is worth experiencing -- many people drive long distances every Sunday to take part.)

Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ChippedChalice:

quote:
I was left cold by the rather distant and clinical catholicism over the road.
I'm a member of Ascension. I want to apologize to Hairy Biker for the lack of welcome he received last Autum when he visited. If it is any consolation, this is a problem we are trying to work on.

Nevertheless, I also want to encourage BulldogSacristan to visit us - perhaps we can do a better job of being welcoming. (And our worship and music really is worth experiencing -- many people drive long distances every Sunday to take part.)

Likewise, this Ascension parishioner is sorry to hear of BulldogSacristan's experience of our parish. We sometimes do much better than that, but we should never do that badly! [Hot and Hormonal]

Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :

Alas, in my occasional visits to both places, I was only ever identified as a visitor and greeted once, by the now-retired rector of Ascension. This occurred in the receiving line. I'll give him credit: he stopped the line and chatted with me for a couple minutes.

Normally I'm okay with flying under the radar. I don't like to cause a fuss, and I'd rather a church put its greeting efforts into an unchurched visitor than into me, an occasional pewhopper who is very active in his own church.

Having said that, I'm frankly done with standing around alone at post-Mass receptions in Chicago. I have yet to find anywhere that does all too well with it. The phenomenon is certainly not limited to Ascension and Atonement. The smaller suburban Episcopal churches, usually just hanging on by a thread, are typically far better at it. (And in some cases too good....sneak out the bathroom window good...)

Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
Likewise, this Ascension parishioner is sorry to hear of BulldogSacristan's experience of our parish. We sometimes do much better than that, but we should never do that badly!

I mistyped. My apology should have been to Hairy Biker. And my hope for BulldogSacristan is for a worthwhile and blessed experience of worship in Chicago, wherever it ends up happening!

Posted by fgilbert2 (# 9405) on :

It has been way too long since I've visited Ascension, but I found the welcome to be sufficiently warm. I'll never forget the homeless man snoring in the pew during Mass, and how nobody seemed to mind.

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