About the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, Illinois:
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago is officially affiliated with the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii, Italy, just south of Naples. The Shrine here contains a relic of Blessed Bartolo Longo, who is the founder of the shrine in Pompeii, Italy,
Originally established in Chicago as an official Italian national parish in 1911, the church was built in 1923 and dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Rosary, in 1924, under the care and guidance of the Scalabrini Fathers. On October 10, 1994, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin proclaimed Our Lady of Pompeii church a Shrine, dedicated to honor Mary, the Mother of God, Queen of the Holy Rosary.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii serves the entire Archdiocese of Chicago. It differs from a parish church, which serves a specific local geographic community.
Therefore the Catholic Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage are celebrated at the Shrine only under special circumstances. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii has been given limited permission by the Archbishop of Chicago to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Couples who are registered parishioners at a local church must ask for a letter of permission from their parish and notify them of your intention to baptize a child at the Shrine. Please observe the guidelines for infant baptisms at the Shrine which can be found below under ‘Baptismal Guidelines’ on their website.
For the Sacrament of Marriage, couples who are registered parishioners at a local church must ask for a letter of permission from your parish pastor to be married at the Shrine. Please observe the guidelines for the Sacrament of Marriage at the Shrine which can be found below on their website under ‘Wedding Guidelines’.
For more information regarding Baptisms or Marriages, please contact Carl, via email or at 312.421.3757 x315.
Renovation of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, Illinois:
The Shrine is currently undergoing a massive renovation, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. Completed earlier phases of the broader “Pompeii Rising” campaign included fortifying the church towers and installing new bronze doors from Italy depicting the mysteries of the rosary.
Led by MKB Architects, the current work includes removing previous modifications to restore the original Italian design aesthetic. Key features involve a new slab-on-grade floor with terrazzo and mosaic finishes, as well as the restoration of original plaster columns in the sanctuary that had been covered for years; installation of an accessible altar platform, a new confessional, and a dedicated reliquary area for Bartolo Longo. In addition, there will be new liturgical furniture, including custom-designed chairs and kneelers, as well as restoration of the original baptistry and stained glass windows.
The plans also call for modernization of heating, air conditioning, and lighting systems. Some mechanical components are integrated into new millwork to preserve the sanctuary’s clean appearance.
Traveling to the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, Illinois:
Address: 1224 West Lexington Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Tel: +1 (312) 421-3757
Click here for the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago