Man I feel really bad giving a church one star. (I hope the man upstairs doesn't get too upset with…read moreme!) First the positive. The church is absolutely beautiful! It's decorated nicely and it has huge ceilings. I really liked it. Ok negatively speaking this church concentrates on issues pertaining to social justice more than issues pertaining to God. For example once I went and it was all about health care. I felt like I was at a college lecture rather than church. No disrespect to anyone who may go here but for me I need more spiritual guidance. I felt this was lacking here. I kept waiting to hear something related to God but I didn't. Needless to say this didn't work out for me.

I started attending First U in Summer 2012 while I was shopping for a new church home. On March 17,…read more2013, I became a member, and am now on a committee. Churches love their committees! First U is very welcoming. My first service, Bobbi walked around with me during Social Hour and introduced me to people who had similar interests as mine as well as people who worked in my field (education). So I didn't have to navigate among strangers alone. I felt connected instantly with the people there, and it was like a homecoming. There is a great variety in the sermons. I always come away with some new insight to think about. It's a very liberal congregation, politically and religiously, which I like. I don't have to worry about hearing something that contradicts my politics. However, I still often feel challenged, which I also want. Church shouldn't always be warm and fuzzy. Also, there is a great diversity in races, life stages and ages at that church, though it is definitely reflective of the Hyde Park neighborhood. Besides political and spiritual connection, I also wanted a church with an active young adult group, which is also at First U. Many, though not all, of the young adults are affiliated with U of C, but there are also professionals like me who go to young adult outings. If you are looking for a liberal, welcoming, diverse church home on the south side, definitely stop at First U for service one Sunday.

I love early morning service where the priest knows you by name..Im always there for the 8:00 a.m…read more mass and Im always out by 9 a.m. thats better much as good as it gets. It is a huge and absolutely beautiful church. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by because you will always be greeted with open arms.

Like many of architect William J Brinkman's designs, St Michael is a steel-framed structure. IMHO…read moreBrinkman fashioned the church's top heavy belltower-with-steeple to showcase the strength of the technique.

Wow. Beautiful liturgy in a beautiful space with a beautiful children's and adult choir, a…read moregorgeous diverse congregation, and heartfelt incantations and prayers from the priests. Visiting guests --we are parishioners at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles...your congregational participation puts us to shame!! FYI - Yelp said your church was closed today...? Thank you for the beautiful mass.

I took the visiting family here for Christmas mass, so I haven't actually been to a regular…read moreservice. It was dark outside, so I didn't get a good look at the church, but it looked large and Gothic. There was a decent sized parking lot as well, which was definitely nice. Inside it is very barren, in a medieval sort of way. Lots of dark wood, old paintings, with just a hint of gaudiness. It reminded me of a lot of the churches I saw when I lived in Europe. The family oriented mass was a little unorganized. It seemed like they just didn't rehearse much with the children, but probably the children just didn't pay attention, or perhaps they got nervous. Instead of reading the gospel and preaching a sermon, the children acted out the first Christmas story. It was very creative, energetic, and slightly elaborate. Definitely not what I was expecting. The priest was very child-oriented and invited them to the front so they could see and just get into the service. Too often kids get restless, so it was great that he could get them involved. The lector was great. He had a nice voice and seemed happy to be there. Unfortunately you can get bored people involved, but he didn't have that problem. (Though some of the Eucharistic Ministers could have perked up.) Generally it was a great experience and I'm considering returning for regular service.

This is a lovely Catholic church in Burbank, IL. It was built in a day when each denomination built…read moretheir own place for worshiping...the first thing immigrants usually did was form their own parish community. Thus you would have a Polish church just down the street from an Irish faith community. While the nationalities have blurred a bit, this is still a wonderful church. This parish community was started in 1949, with this church building going up in the 1960s. The community now is primarily Polish and Hispanic. We were here for a Friday fish fry which is held in the huge basement cafeteria and meeting hall. Since the parish community also has a couple of schools (a regular grade school and a Polish grade school), there are a lot of youngsters to feed each day and they use this space. We usually go fish fry spelunking in Lent, and this fish fry was the best one we have ever been to. If you visit you'll see the fish being soaked in milk, hand-breaded, and fried just before it hits your plate. Generous portions, good sides, a great baked potato, an inexpensive bar for those that imbibe, and many volunteers working the fry so all is clean and ready. Wonderful 5-star fish fry, and one they hold every Friday during Lent except Good Friday. Regarding the church, it was a beautiful space as seen in the attached pictures. The serenity and beauty of the facility is really warm and welcoming. This is a pie-shaped church...with rows of pews all curved in a semi-circle and facing the altar. Beautiful church furnishings...from the statues to the altar. Give this place a try one day when you seek some comfort and support.

I have been going to this church since I was a kid. It is a welcoming and loving place. My great…read moregrandparents were helpful in supporting the creation of the church and participated in craft shows as well. Many good memories and still currently visiting.

This is a beautiful church and very reverent. I think the woman who had a problem with this church…read morespeaking of abortion etc. should probably ask the people in the church who "had an abortion" if they wish someone would have told them the truth once upon a time. There is no such thing as a conservative Catholic church, it's called the church Jesus established with people following what Jesus asked us to do. There are churches with priests that are happy to have a cute feel good homily and collect your money, anything goes and it's all fine. That will not get you to heaven, the truth will. Any priest not teaching the truth of the Catholic church will face judgement for leading his flock astray, as well as anyone who goes around thinking abortion is fine and marriage can be with anyone or anything. Come on, be honest with yourself. People want to be told whatever makes them feel good and that is not love. Jesus said, not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father. God gave us 10 commandments, not 10 suggestions.

Father Tom and church leadership have helped me out through some challenging times in my life and…read moreI'm extremely grateful for that!!!! That being said, Father Tom, Deacon Jake, the mass, the hospitality group, and the overall church leadership lean conservative socially, morally, and politically. I witnessed whole sermons/homilies that spoke about the evils of abortion. Can you imagine how a woman present at that mass might feel, who may have had an abortion previously? It's not me, but my heart goes out to them! There's a strong emphasis on conservative Catholic values! I felt out of place as a low income, single, queer, middle aged woman, and feminist with invisible disabilities, who was not originally from the neighborhood (but from the Northside, obviously). I tried REALLY hard to connect with these folks though, for years! I'll be attending Old St. Pats from now on.

great church loving pastors. English church is at 10am and…read moreSpanish is at 1pm all welcomed. come and worship the Lord. website: http://www.hiswordchurch.net/

I highly recommend this church to anyone with a family- it's an extremely welcoming community and…read morethe youth programs have a knack for channeling young energy in a positive way-- I loved attending church, even as a teenager. Pilgrim Faith offers great social programs and volunteer opportunities, and always with the calm, kind, and non-judgmental demeanor that (sadly) can be so elusive in organized religion.

My family joined this church (from a Catholic church) about three years ago, and we are thrilled…read morewith it. Pilgrim Faith does a lot of great things in the community (food pantry, homeless shelter), really living out the idea of serving others. It also accepts everyone. It is radically welcoming, not demanding your personal life be of a certain flavor or that you live a holier-than-thou existence. I highly recommend for anyone, especially for those who have soured on organized religion, but haven't completely soured on the Christian faith. It's a friendly place for you -- and your family -- to take a faith journey.

New Life Church supports community engagement and is a spiritual anchor for people in the City of…read moreChicago.