Chicago Area High-Church Guide

The following list is limited to my idiosyncratic tastes, therefore the citations reflect my own quirks. Please let me know if you have some parishes in the Chicago area to suggest. I'll check them out as soon as possible.
CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
EPISCOPAL
(312)664-1271
1133 N. LaSalle, Chicago

When I was young (a long time ago) and a member of the Episcopal Parish of St. Mary of the Angels in Hollywood California, Ascension was one of three parishes mentioned in hushed tones of reverence. As I recall, some actually made a slight incline of the head as if saying the Sacred Name. (The other parishes, by the way, were Church of the Advent in Boston and--of course--St. Mary the Virgin in New York City.)

Ascension is Anglo-Catholic, with a difference. The difference is a bit peculiar. While the weekday masses are celebrated according to the liturgical innovations since the 1960s (celebrant facing the people, and the like), the 11:00 am Solemn High Mass on Sunday mornings is what I loving call the Bruce Lee liturgy. The basic outline is the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Rite II, with introit and other elements imported from the Anglican Missal. The ceremonial (complete with Deacon, Subdeacon, MC, six torchbearers during the canon of the mass), however, is pure Tridentine (including the I formation split right and left at the Sursum Corda). Listening to the rite suggests a choreography remarkably different from that which is seen. Watching the ceremonial suggests a rite far different from that which is heard--hence the Bruce Lee liturgy.

NEVERTHELESS, both the ritual and ceremonial are executed well, the music is superb, and it is in most ways classic Anglo-Catholicism.

See Mystery Worshipper report on Ascension
CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT
EPISCOPAL
(312)271-2727
Kenmore and Ardmore, Chicago

Atonement is Anglo-Catholic as in "When in Rome. . ." They use Rite II at all daily masses and at the 11:00 Solemn High Mass on Sunday (with additional material imported from the Roman Sacramentary). Over the past twenty years this parish has let go of the use of Subdeacon in what was otherwise Vatican II choreography, but the careful observer will note several Victorian Anglo-Catholic influences still lingering. Corpus Christi at Atonement is a must for anyone hooked on high-church fare.

As with Ascension, excellent music is an enhancement to worship, but the organ is far too large for the room.

See Mystery Worshipper report on Atonement
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST. LUKE
ELCA
(312)472-3383
1500 W. Belmont

The 10:30 Eucharist is an expression of the fullness of the Lutheran tradition in High-Church worship. Unlike many Lutheran parishes, where the pastor and a couple of lay liturgy nuts get into the flow of the Western heritage of catholic worship while the rest of the congregation looks on in bewilderment, the folk at St. Luke are not shy about crossing themselves, and do not seem to fear a full genuflection at the incarnational point during the creed. The organ is mute during the chants (including the responses), which is a blessed relief from normative Lutheran practice.

The liturgy here is Novus Ordo, but with the retention of Deacon (Assisting Minister in dalmatic) and Sub-Deacon (Communion Assistant in tunic). As befits a Lutheran house of worship, the liturgy here is done with style and grace.
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
(847)864-4464
616 Lake St, Evanston

Piety tells us that it does not matter who is presiding at liturgy, and this is something about which one ought not be concerned. One visit to Immanuel Evanston is enough to dismiss that bit of pious clap-trap.

The Rev. Frank Senn, Pastor of the congregation, holds a Ph.D. from Notre Dame in liturgics. He is the author of numerous insightful articles and books, including the magisterial Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1997). Pastor Senn's brilliance as a scholar is matched by his grace-filled style as a presider at liturgy. His sermons are faithful and powerful.
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC
(312)685-0461 4154 W. Berteau, Chicago

This one is simple to describe: Tridentine words, Tridentine choreography (and maniple too). You'll hear it in Latin at 10:30 am on Sundays, and in the Knott Missal English version at all other times.
ST. FRANCIS CHURCH
LIBERAL CATHOLIC
(312)489-0440
1945 N. Mozart, Chicago

This bears some similarity to Ascension. The ceremonial is pure Tridentine, but the words will throw those who are looking for a traditional mass. That general statement having been made, the similarity ends. The Liberal Catholic liturgy has strong overtones of Theosophy and Freemasonry. Archetectonic language is inserted at various points. The prayer of confession is an apology for not having moved forward on our spiritual journeys with dispatch. A portion of the Canon of the Mass is given over to those who are about to be born into the world of flesh again. After the presently embodied communicants have received, the celebrant offers the host (reception is in one kind) to the disembodied spirits who may be present.

It sounds far out, but the ceremonial could not be more traditional. The 10:00 am Sunday Eucharist features Deacon and Sub-Deacon in traditional roles, maniples, and Anglican Chant throughout.
ST. JOHN CANTIUS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
(312)243-7373
825 North Carpenter Street, Chicago

This is the place to go if you are in the mood for the full experience of a Tridentine Solemn High Mass in Latin. The enormous sanctuary, located in an industrial area of the city, shuts out the grime around it as worshippers settle into a beautiful setting with the look of a well appointed church in late 18th-century Warsaw or Krakow. Clergy dedicated to the preservation of both the form and content of the Tridentine tradition enhance the experience. On Sundays and most Holy Days the Ordinary of the mass is usually by Mozart, or Hayden, or Palestrina, or Schubert, and sung by an excellent professional choir, accompanied by an equally excellent orchestra.

See Mystery Worshipper report on St. John Cantius
ST. LUKE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
(847)475-3630
Hinman and Lee, Evanston

St. Luke is Anglo-Catholic, but with a heavy Anglican accent. The choir maintains a rich repertory in the manner of the 19th-Century English Cathedral Choir Schools. While the rite and most of the ceremonial is Novus Ordo, they have retained the traditional roles of Deacon and Sub-Deacon.

If there is any place better in Chicagoland for Lessons and Carols for Advent I have yet to find it. The Easter Vigil is one of the most powerful in the Chicago area.

See Mystery Worshipper report on St. Luke
UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH
(708) 386-1576
409 Greenfield St (Ridgeland and Greenfiled)
Oak Park

United Lutheran, Oak Park, is the best kept liturgical secret in Illinois. Jeannine and I recently moved to our retirement home in a neighborhood close to Oak Park. We knew of the existence of the congregation, but little else about it. Our search for a new worshipping community closer to our new home took us to several congregations, including this one.

The liturgical style is high, but not inflexible. Indeed, we have experience a good deal of what might be considered "contemporary" by some, but done with faithful reverence for the received traditions. Few congregations can match the integrity of readings, hymns and homily for any given Sunday or feast.

United is small, but a Pastor and Minister of Music both grounded in a Lutheran expression of the Catholic faith and both filled with a desire to lead the assembly in making a joyful noise to the Lord more than compensates for size.