In Search of Family Friendly Catholic Church in Chicago

Well - it is not in the Wicker Park area but we go to St. Benedicts and love it - -they also have a wonderful Pre-K and school. On Irving Park (near Bell).

Hi, D.,
My husband and I had a similar situation when my boys were young and we lived in Edgewater, near St. Gertrude's, 6200 north and a little east of Clark St. My husband was quite devout and I wasn't, but we tried Gert's and it was years and years of wonderful. There's a Sunday morning program for preschoolers (so parents can attend Mass in peace and the kids get acquainted with their peers and their future lives in the parish), as well as religious ed for children attending non-Catholic schools. The parish also offers many opportunities for young people through teen years to participate in the parish, including working with little ones, helping with elders, etc. From the St. Francis blessing of animals to the Thanksgiving play and the Christmas bazaar and so much more -- Gert's is truly a diverse, accepting and loving community where we always felt part of the family.
I live out of town now but am still in touch with many of the great people from Gert's. I know it's a hike from Wicker Park, but please consider it -- not least because the church is a beautifully maintained Gothic -- just what church should be, stained glass and all.
Best wishes and blessings,
Mama S.

There is a wonderful church in Logan Square neighborhood...St. John Berchmans.
We have gone there for a few years and while our kids are still too young, I do know that they do have classes on sundays for kids..they also welcome kids at any of the masses.
The priest is a family friend from growing up and he is wonderful. If you have any specific questions about this church, he would be happy to an answer them if you call over there. His name is Father Wayne Watts.
Hope this helps!

if you stay on Milwaukee Ave and take it north just past Addison, there is St Viator church...great kids program. they even have halloween parites, music group once a week for the little kids, etc.

I LOVE Old St. Pat's downtown. I had both of my kid baptized there this year. They were awesome throughout the entire process. My son was 3 and my daughter was 8 months - there was no judgment about why we waited to have them baptized or anything like that. We were welcomed with open arms. Everyone that we have encountered there has been awesome. The baptism prep class was extremely laid-back and warm, although full of appropriate information so the importance of the sacrament wasn't in any way lost. They have an elementary school next door to the church as well. I think my kids are going to attend that school when it's time for kindergarten.

Old St Pats on Desplaines has education for the kids and is a very welcoming family friendly church. Plus they have free parking for all the sunday services in the lots nearby. I always park on the lot on madison and Desplaines

I am not Catholic, however we live down the street from St. Andrews in Lakeview. Our nanny takes our son to "baby bulldogs" (open gym). Alot of the moms in my neighborhood have great things to say about it. I have also heard good things about St. Alphonsus. Good luck

We go to St. Josaphat (Southport and Belden) and LOVE it. There is a children's mass on Sundays at 10am. Our daughter is still too young but the kids get taken to the basement for their own service during the mass...they return before communion. We tried a few churches and always felt that we needed to stay in the back because I daughter was little and noisey (she's 2 1/2 now) but at St. Josaphat we felt welcome. There are tons of babies, toddlers and kids at mass and no one cares if your little one is acting up. We also really enjoy Father Rich (the pastor) and the other priests. My husband isn't Catholic either and he enjoys going to church here.

Good luck!