 Assumption Catholic Church was founded in 1881 in an area north of the Chicago River that had been settled principally by Italian immigrants. Assumption was the first church in Chicago specifically commissioned to minister to Italian speaking Catholics, and as such was authorized to enroll as parish members any Italians living within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Care of the new parish was entrusted to the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, a religious Order founded in Italy in the thirteenth century.
The parish grew and prospered. The present church structure was completed in 1886, and soon there was need for a parish school. Since there was no more property available in the immediate vicinity, the school was built four blocks north on Erie Street. The school opened in 1899 and was staffed by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, founded by Mother Francis Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint. Mother Cabrini worked among the Italian immigrants in Chicago during the early years of the twentieth century and worshipped at Assumption Church.
After World War I the area around Assumption gradually changed from residential to commercial and industrial. Many Catholic families moved out of the neighborhood; and Assumption School, which at one time enrolled over 900 students, succumbed to the changing demographics and closed in 1945. The school building at 319 West Erie passed through a number of owners and is now a condominium residence. The parish survived for many decades by providing sacramental ministry during the week to the many Catholics working in the factories and office buildings that surrounded Assumption and by welcoming back the Italian families who returned to the old neighborhood for Sunday Mass. During the 1990's River North once more became a residential neighborhood. Today Assumption Church serves a diverse community of neighborhood residents, downtown workers, historic parishioners, visitors to our city, and people from all over the Chicago area who are attracted to its soaring beauty, inspiring liturgies, commitment to service, and friendly people.
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