Guide to Christmas Services in Chicago's Loop

Chicago's historical churches are open to the public. Join the congregations of one of these architectural jewels to celebrate the birth of the Savior. There are hundreds of churches in Chicago to choose from for your Christmas celebrations. The following churches are integral to the history of Chicago and have fascinating histories themselves. The beautiful, historic structures are home to active congregations that will welcome you for Christmas services.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
THE CHICAGO TEMPLE
77 West Washington Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312-236-4548
First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple is the oldest church in the city of Chicago. The church was founded by Methodist circuit riders in 1831, six years before the City of Chicago was incorporated. After World War I, the First United Methodist Church congregation engaged the renowned architectural firm of Holabird & Roche, giving them instructions to to design a big and tall building that would be "Gothic in structure, with a churchly tower and a radiant cross at it''s pinnacle". Today, The Chicago Temple holds worship services on the first floor of the imposing Gothic structure, that seats 1,000. The church is located directly across from Daley plaza, and is easily reached by elevated, subway and Metra trains and Chicago Transit Authority buses.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT at
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHICAGO TEMPLE
December 3, 2006
2:00 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES at
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHICAGO TEMPLE
December 24, 2006
Regular Services at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
Christmas Eve Services at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE at
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHICAGO TEMPLE
December 25, 2006
9:30 AM

FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
126 East Chestnut
(directly across the street from the John Hancock Center)
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-787-8425
The congregation of the Fourth Presbyterian Church has worshiped in the Gothic cathedral since 1914. Much of the cathedral is in "original condition", looking much the same as it did nearly 100 years ago. The architect of Fourth Presbyterian Church was Ralph Adams Cram, America's leading Gothic revival architect. The historic church is located directly across from the John Hancock Center. The John Hancock Center offers a special parking rate of $7.00 with a tick validated by the church.

CHRISTMAS EVE at FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
December 24 2006
9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:30 PM and 11:00 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY at FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
December 25, 2006
11:00 AM

NEW YEAR'S EVE at FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
December 31, 2006
9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 7:30 PM

THE MOODY CHURCH concert 3 2p 24
1630 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
312-943-0466
Moody Bible Church has a fascinating history, starting in 1858, when Dwight Lyman Moody began a Sunday school mission for underprivileged children in Chicago. Moody Church has grown, along with Chicago. Moody Church, famous for it's ministry, broadcast messages and concerts, and training of pastors around the world, is located on North Clark Street. The doors are open and all are welcome to attend the church services and concerts that are held in the beautiful, historic sanctuary regularly.

Free Parking is available at the Moody Bible Institute garage, which is located at the northwest corner of Wells and Institute Streets. Complimentary Shuttle Service between garage and church, transports you directly to the front door of the church before the service, and back to the parking garage after the service.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT MOODY CHURCH
Sunday, December 10, 2006
6:00 PM
The Christmas Concert at Moody Church is free. Call 312-943-0466 for complimentary tickets. Doors open at 5:00 for those with tickets (the tickets do not reserve seats, recommend early arrival for best seat). All are welcome to enter at 5:45 PM. Complimentary Shuttle Service between garage and church will be available before and after the concert, beginning at 4:30 PM. For those unable to attend, this concert will also be broadcast live on the internet at

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AT MOODY CHURCH
Sunday, December 24, 2006
5:00 PM

NEW YEAR'S EVE SERVICE AT MOODY CHURCH
Sunday, December 31, 2006
5:00 PM

ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CHICAGO
65 East Huron Street (corner of Wabash and Huron)
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-787-7360
Saint James Parish is the oldest Episcopal church in Chicago. the congregation of the Episcopal church was founded in 1834. The church was rebuilt in 1874, after the first structure was destroyed in the Chicago Fire.

HOLIDAY CONCERT AT ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL
December 17, 2006
4:00 PM
Vocal Ensemble ANONYMOUS 4, celebrates with an unforgettable Holiday Concert celebrates the season with a journey to the roots of Anglo-American spiritual vocal music. The a Capella program features religious ballads, shape-note tunes, and gospel hymns of hope, glory, and holiday rejoicing. Tickets are $30.00 and doors open at 3:15 PM

BRASS ENSEMBLE CINCO
"THE FESTIVE SOUNDS OF BRASS" at ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL
December 19, 2006
7:30 PM
Join CINCO to hear festive holiday voices to hear beloved carols and music from The Nutcracker, as well as the rich textures of Gabrieli. Stay for the sin-along finale. Suggested donation $10.00.

FOURTH SUNDAY of ADVENT at ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL
December 24, 2006
10:30 AM
Cathedral Eucharist

CHRISTMAS EVE LITURGIES at ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL
December 24, 2006
5:00 PM
"Carols for the City". Ecumenical service with congregational carols, the Salvation Army Brass, and a telling of the Christmas story through the words of Scripture.

7:30 PM choral Prelude, 8:00 PM Eucharist.
The first Eucharist of Christmas includes Cathedral Choir and organ.

10:30 Choral Prelude, 11:00 PM Liturgy
Festival Eucharist includes Cathedral Choir and Soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Saint James.

ST. PETER'S in the LOOP
110 West Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312-372-5111
St. Peter's in the Loop has many beautiful statues of St. Francis of Asissi.

SUNDAY MASS
December 24, 2006
9:00 PM, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM

MIDNIGHT MASS at ST. PETER'S in the LOOP
December 24, 2006
Carols and Readings start at 11:00 PM
Service starts at Midnight

CHRISTMAS DAY at ST. PETER'S in the LOOP
9:00 AM, 11:00 AM AND 12:30 PM

HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
35 North State Street
730 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-787-8040
The Holy Name Roman Catholic congregation was founded in 1849. After the Chicago fire, Brooklyn Architect Patrick Charles Keely began work on the new Holy Name Cathedral. The Gothic structure was dedicated in 1875. C

CHRISTMAS EVE at HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
December 24, 2006
4:00 PM and 6:00 PM

MIDNIGHT MASS on CHRISTMAS EVE
at HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
The Midnight Mass at Holy Name Catheral is a ticketed event. If you woiuld like to attend the Midnight Mass Services, send a self addressed, stamped envelope to the Church address, directed to Midnight Mass Tickets. Included you phone number and e-mail address with number of tickets requested. Tickets reserved on first come basis.