CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago City Council Zoning Committee voted Tuesday to approve landmark status for St. Adalbert’s Church in Pilsen.
The decision comes after more than a decade of fighting over the church’s future.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The future of the church is a topic that has divided the community. During the public comment section, the Chicago City Council Zoning Committee listened to passionate testimonies.
St. Adalbert’s Church in Pilsen has been closed since 2019. The Chicago Archdiocese has been trying to sell it.
They have a potential buyer, People Church, which is non-denominational. They want to preserve the church, but not the rest of the buildings.
RELATED: Chicago Archdiocese has buyer for shuttered Pilsen church; some worry campus will not be preserved
The Society of St. Adalbert, which includes former parishioners, has been rejecting the plan.
The groups wants the church and all of its buildings preserved, including the rectory, convent, school and parking lot.
Preservationists said the former Catholic church has a lot of rich history, and is important to both Polish and Mexican communities.
Julie Sawicki from the Society of St. Adalbert expressed the importance of preserving the Catholic heritage in Chicago. She highlighted the significance of the church as a place where important life events such as funerals, baptisms, and weddings have taken place, emphasizing the need to safeguard this historical legacy.
More than a decade ago, St. Adalbert’s Church was on a list of the seven most endangered historic buildings in Chicago.
St. Adalbert’s Church has stood for 111 years at the location.
Now, it’s likely to remain there for the foreseeable future.
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward celebrated the decision to maintain a place for worship. He acknowledged the creation of a historic landmark in the Pilsen community, recognizing its long-overdue establishment as a significant achievement.
Tuesday’s decision also clears the way for the archdiocese to sell the property.
Members of the Chicago Archdiocese were also present at the meeting. They said they support limited landmarking and are excited about a potential buyer.
The archdiocese referred a statement released Monday, saying in part “(we) are grateful to those in city leadership who support limited landmarking … and look forward to the return of the church to its full potential.”
That means restoring the exterior of the church building to its original glory. The head of Preservation Chicago supports the plan.
“It is a compromise, but the reason those other buildings are so significant is because the crown jewel is there. And that is the church,” said Ward Miller, with Preservation Chicago.
Some community members are disappointed not only to lose the other rectory and convent, but also the inside of the church, which does not have to be preserved.
“To me, what church is, is what’s inside the church: the interior. It’s where I pray, where I got blessed, where I received my sacraments,” said Amina Jakubowski with Society of St. Adalbert.
The full City Council is expected to go along with the Zoning Committee’s recommendation for landmark status.
That vote is expected at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
