Chicago's Polish Cathedrals

Some of America's most lavish churches
Word to the wise: The easiest way to reach the churches mentioned here is to take the CTA Blue Line to Division.

Among the most extravagant places of worship in America, Chicago's so-called "Polish cathedrals" are vast catholic churches built by Polish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Built in grand gothic, renaissance and baroque styles derived from Polish prototypes, these elaborate monuments to migrant piety are still among Chicago's more eye-catching sights, and seeking them out can be a great way of escaping the city's touristy heart.

Many of Chicago's Polish cathedrals are located around its former "Polish Downtown', now partly covered by the Bucktown and Wicker Park neighborhoods. The renaissance-style St Stanislaus Kostka (1300 St. N Noble St) is especially grand, as is the twin-towered Holy Trinity Church (1118 N Noble St), both now looming over the rather intrusive Kennedy Expressway. Further North, the domed, red brick St Mary of the Angels is the largest church in Illinois, saved from destruction as recently as 1989.