Once-doomed church reborn

Christ, the Infant King!:

"When the Archdiocese of Chicago announced a few years ago that St. Gelasius Church in the Woodlawn neighborhood was being demolished, many people fought back -- neighbors, preservationists and even the mayor.

The stone edifice was spared. The parish no longer exists but the building is slowly being resurrected as a Catholic shrine.

Historic St. Gelasius Roman Catholic Church is one of the Woodlawn areas most prominent structures. Designed by the famous religious architect Henry J. Schlacks a disciple of master architect Louis Sullivan.
(Sun-Times file) It's also the American headquarters of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, a community of priests and brothers dedicated to the Tridentine Latin mass.

On Sunday, the building will be reopened for weekly worship. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses will be celebrated there, too.

And, on Dec. 29, Cardinal Francis George will be there to assist at a Tridentine 'solemn high mass' and crown a 3½-foot statue of 'Christ the King' -- the infant Jesus dressed in imperial garments."