About Our Lady of the Holy Family (Former Notre Dame De Chicago) · Chicago, Illinois
Our Lady of the Holy Family is a Roman Catholic parish in Chicago's Near West Side, formed in 2019 by the merger of the historic Notre Dame de Chicago parish and Holy Family Parish as part of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Renew My Church initiative. All worship takes place in the venerable Notre Dame de Chicago church building at 1334 W. Flournoy Street, a Romanesque Revival landmark designed by French-Canadian architect Gregoire Vigeant and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. Today's parish describes itself as a bilingual (English and Spanish), diverse community rooted in two Catholic traditions — one French-Canadian, the other Jesuit — and is administered by Fr. Christopher Landfried with two permanent deacons and a small lay staff. It is known locally as 'the Jewel of Chicago' for its striking domed architecture and deep Eucharistic devotion.
- Established
- 2019
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Family (the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Landfried (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Chicago
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Holy Family welcomes parishioners and visitors into a bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic community rooted in two of Chicago's most historic parish traditions — Notre Dame de Chicago, founded by French missionaries in 1864 and the site of the 1926 International Eucharistic Congress, and Holy Family, the original Jesuit parish founded in 1880. The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration in the House Chapel, regular Confession, a Religious Education program for grades 1–12, RCIA for adults, and liturgical music ministry — all centered on a stunning National Register-listed church known locally as 'the Jewel of Chicago.'
Mass times at Our Lady of the Holy Family (Former Notre Dame De Chicago)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:00 PM (in Church, following Mass)
- Friday 6:00 PM (in Church, following Mass)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, in the House Chapel
Parish History
Our Lady of the Holy Family was created in 2019 by the merger of Notre Dame de Chicago and Holy Family Parish under the Archdiocese of Chicago's Renew My Church initiative. All Masses and celebrations now take place in the historic Notre Dame de Chicago church building, and the new parish carries forward the faith and traditions of both founding communities.
- Merged July 2019 under Cardinal Blase Cupich's Renew My Church process
- Former pastor Fr. Jason Malave served as the Cardinal's Renew My Church liaison
- Holy Family, dedicated in 1880, was the original Jesuit parish in Chicago and mother institution of St. Ignatius College Prep and Loyola University Chicago
Notre Dame de Chicago: A French-Catholic Landmark
Notre Dame de Chicago was founded in 1864 by French-speaking missionaries who first gathered in the basement of Old St. Patrick's Church. After meeting at Halsted and Congress, the community built the current church (cornerstone 1889, completed 1892) and later a grade school staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame. In 1918 the Archdiocese gave the parish to the French Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, which turned Notre Dame into a center of Eucharistic devotion for the whole Chicagoland area. As the neighborhood changed, the parish shifted from an ordered French congregation to a diverse, multilingual diocesan community.
- Founded 1864 by French-speaking missionaries in the basement of Old St. Patrick's
- Current church built 1887 (cornerstone 1889, completed 1892)
- Transferred to the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament in 1918
- Hosted the 28th International Eucharistic Congress in 1926 — the first held in the United States
- Rectory housed Casa Jesus, a formation house for Hispanic seminarians, 1994–2006
Architecture and Renovations
The church was designed by French-Canadian architect Gregoire Vigeant in Romanesque Revival style, with a heavy French influence visible in its Greek cross layout, hipped roofs, square domes, two cupolas, and lantern. The initial 1887 building was modest and unornamented; over the years it underwent at least five major renovations, including lengthening the sanctuary for Eucharistic Adoration and replacing the statue of Our Lady on the dome after a lightning strike. The most recent renovation in 2005 restored the dome murals, expanded the altar, installed an improved sound and electrical system, and made the altar accessible.
- Architect: Gregoire Vigeant (French-Canadian)
- Style: Romanesque Revival with heavy French influence
- Greek cross layout with hipped roofs, square domes, two cupolas, and a lantern
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 1979
- 2005 renovation: dome murals restored, altar expanded, accessibility improvements
Religious Education (Grades 1–12)
Our Lady of the Holy Family offers a Religious Education program for students in grades 1 through 12, with classes held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM. Tuition is $200 per student and includes materials, sacramental preparation, and all classes. Open enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year begins August 10, 2025, and the first day of class is September 7, 2025. All catechists are in full compliance with the Archdiocese's Office for the Protection of Children & Youth standards.
- Classes on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM
- Tuition: $200 per student (materials + sacramental prep + classes)
- Sacramental preparation is a two-year process
- All students expected to attend Mass weekly
- Catechists comply with Archdiocesan child protection standards
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is for adults who wish to become Catholic or complete their initiation into the Catholic faith, including baptized Christians preparing to receive First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation. Classes begin each October, and candidates receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Registration forms and fees can be dropped off at the parish rectory office or placed in the offertory basket at Mass.
- For unbaptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion
- Classes begin in October each year (most recently October 6, 2024)
- Sacraments conferred at the Easter Vigil
- Registration available online via the parish website or in person at the rectory
Baptism and Sacramental Preparation
Children under the age of 7 are baptized on the authority of their parents. A Baptism Preparation Course and fee are required. Children over 7 years old must be enrolled in the parish's Religious Education classes. The parish also prepares older children and adults for First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage through the appropriate programs.
- Baptism Preparation Course required for parents of children under 7
- Baptism fee payable online via Give or at the rectory
- Children over 7 must enroll in Religious Education
- Marriage arrangements through the parish office
Parish Staff and Clergy
Our Lady of the Holy Family is led by Fr. Christopher Landfried as Parish Administrator, supported by two permanent deacons, a Director of Liturgical Music and Parish Operations, and two administrative assistants. The parish reflects the bilingual, multicultural character of the Near West Side community.
- Rev. Christopher Landfried — Parish Administrator
- Catherine Foreman — Director of Liturgical Music and Parish Operations
- Deacon Larry Sorce — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Angelo Cordoba — Permanent Deacon
- Joseph Panepinto — Administrative Assistant
- Audrey Wasik — Administrative Assistant
Get Involved
The parish invites parishioners and visitors to give, volunteer, and join the community. The parish website offers online giving (Give) for Sunday collections, Church Preservation second collections, Religious Education tuition, and baptism fees. Volunteer and catechist opportunities are available through the Religious Education program, and all volunteers follow Archdiocesan child protection standards.
- Online donations via Give — Sunday and second collections
- Monthly Church Preservation Second Collection (100% stays at parish)
- Religious Education catechist opportunities
- Parish registration available at the rectory office
Contact and Locations
The parish operates from two buildings on Chicago's Near West Side: the historic church at 1334 W. Flournoy Street and the House Chapel at 1335 W. Harrison Street. Both are easily reached from the Near West Side neighborhood.
- Church: 1334 W. Flournoy Street, Chicago, IL 60607
- House Chapel: 1335 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60607
- Website: http://www.olhfchi.org/
- Office: contact via the parish website's contact form
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Christopher Landfriedcurrent (Parish Administrator)
Current Parish Administrator of Our Lady of the Holy Family; previously associate pastor at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and host of the 'Catholics Unscripted' program on WSFI 88.5 FM Catholic Radio.