The current church building was designed by Charles L. Wallace, an architect who had offices in Chicago and Joliet. The building, dedicated by Cardinal Mundelein on June 3, 1928, is Gothic style, cruciform in plan and has a seating capacity of 1,004. It was built at a cost of $250,000. The school building, also designed by Mr. Wallace and dedicated in 1930, is still used today. Charles L. Wallace's family came from Ireland. He was born on July 5, 1871, married Julia Mahoney on December 29, 1896, and died on February 12, 1949.
According to the Wallace family history composed by Sister Mary Angela Wallace, RSM, one of Charles Wallace's daughters, Charles and Julia lived at 1013 Cass Street in Joliet. This was Julia's home when they first married in 1896. In 1898, they briefly lived on Illinois Street after their first son was born, but soon moved to the "Wallace Flats" at 304 Washington. The Rock Island Railroad forced the sale of that property, so in 1907 Wallace designed and built 709 Campbell Street for his family and 711 Campbell Street for his mother and sisters.
Mr. Wallace was associated with over 100 structures in Joliet and the Chicago metropolitan area, including churches, schools and houses. Historic Joliet buildings designed by Mr. Wallace include St. Patrick's Church on Marion Street, the original St. Raymond's Church on Douglas Street, St. Mary's on Broadway Street, St. Joseph's on Chicago Street, St. Cyril and Methodius and Sacred Heart School in Lockport. His work with the architectural firm Hoen, Webster and Wallace was responsible for Farragut and Washington schools.
In 1910, Mr. Wallace opened a Chicago office in the Tribune Building. Mr. Wallace designed several churches in the Chicago area, including St. Margaret of Scotland Church and School (99th and Throop Street), St. Mel (Washington Boulevard), St. Clotilde (84th and Calumet Street), St. Dorothy (78th and Vernon Street), St. Viator (Addison and Kedvale Streets) and St. Anselm. He also designed Immaculate Conception in Elmhurst, St. Mark in Gary, Indiana and a Catholic church in Schererville, Indiana.
According to the Wallace family history composed by Sister Mary Angela Wallace, RSM, one of Charles Wallace's daughters, Charles and Julia lived at 1013 Cass Street in Joliet. This was Julia's home when they first married in 1896. In 1898, they briefly lived on Illinois Street after their first son was born, but soon moved to the "Wallace Flats" at 304 Washington. The Rock Island Railroad forced the sale of that property, so in 1907 Wallace designed and built 709 Campbell Street for his family and 711 Campbell Street for his mother and sisters.
Mr. Wallace was associated with over 100 structures in Joliet and the Chicago metropolitan area, including churches, schools and houses. Historic Joliet buildings designed by Mr. Wallace include St. Patrick's Church on Marion Street, the original St. Raymond's Church on Douglas Street, St. Mary's on Broadway Street, St. Joseph's on Chicago Street, St. Cyril and Methodius and Sacred Heart School in Lockport. His work with the architectural firm Hoen, Webster and Wallace was responsible for Farragut and Washington schools.
In 1910, Mr. Wallace opened a Chicago office in the Tribune Building. Mr. Wallace designed several churches in the Chicago area, including St. Margaret of Scotland Church and School (99th and Throop Street), St. Mel (Washington Boulevard), St. Clotilde (84th and Calumet Street), St. Dorothy (78th and Vernon Street), St. Viator (Addison and Kedvale Streets) and St. Anselm. He also designed Immaculate Conception in Elmhurst, St. Mark in Gary, Indiana and a Catholic church in Schererville, Indiana.
Mr. Wallace was also frequently used as an architectural consultant by the Chicago Catholic diocese.
Thousands of people have been touched by this man and most do not even know his name. People throughout the last century have lived in homes, attended schools and worshipped in churches he designed never realizing his central role in creating such magnificent buildings that are a part of their lifetime memories.
When Mr. Wallace died in 1949, his obituary was fittingly printed on the front page of the Joliet Herald (February 13, 1949).
(Editor's note: Many thanks go out to Sharon Skaggs for providing us with the history on Charles L. Wallace.)
The beautiful Stations of the Cross, all original compositions, were painted by Sister Mary Stanisia, who resided and taught at the Academy of Our Lady. See Stations of the Cross for more information about the Stations and the artist.
The breathtaking stained glass windows, medallion in type and mosaic in structure, were designed by Arthur Kroiden of the Willet studio in Chicago. For more information, see Stained Glass Windows.
The magnificent marble altars were imported from Italy by Daprato Statuary Company and made from Mr. Wallace's original drawings. The decorating, Venetian in motif and simple in design, is the work of Mr. J. Murray (The New World, December 21, 1928). The marble statues of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were installed in the main altar in 1960. The Daprato Statuary Company also created and installed these four statues.
The shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, found next to the Blessed Virgin Mary side altar, was blessed and dedicated on April 13, 1959.
To see how the church has evolved over the years, see the slide show below.
Thousands of people have been touched by this man and most do not even know his name. People throughout the last century have lived in homes, attended schools and worshipped in churches he designed never realizing his central role in creating such magnificent buildings that are a part of their lifetime memories.
When Mr. Wallace died in 1949, his obituary was fittingly printed on the front page of the Joliet Herald (February 13, 1949).
(Editor's note: Many thanks go out to Sharon Skaggs for providing us with the history on Charles L. Wallace.)
The beautiful Stations of the Cross, all original compositions, were painted by Sister Mary Stanisia, who resided and taught at the Academy of Our Lady. See Stations of the Cross for more information about the Stations and the artist.
The breathtaking stained glass windows, medallion in type and mosaic in structure, were designed by Arthur Kroiden of the Willet studio in Chicago. For more information, see Stained Glass Windows.
The magnificent marble altars were imported from Italy by Daprato Statuary Company and made from Mr. Wallace's original drawings. The decorating, Venetian in motif and simple in design, is the work of Mr. J. Murray (The New World, December 21, 1928). The marble statues of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were installed in the main altar in 1960. The Daprato Statuary Company also created and installed these four statues.
The shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, found next to the Blessed Virgin Mary side altar, was blessed and dedicated on April 13, 1959.
To see how the church has evolved over the years, see the slide show below.
CHURCH INTERIOR
1928 |
This picture was taken on June 1, 1928. Notice the archways on the walls that wrap around behind the altar. Also note the decorative wall above the arches. This is the same style that is found above the east and west exits. Why and when these features were either plastered over or removed are unknown. Also, the light bulbs on the walls are the same style as those currently in place throughout the church.
|
1960 |
Note that the four statues of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have not yet been installed in the main altar. Also note that the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague has not been installed yet either. Also, the large cross in the middle of the altar has not yet been installed. Also note that spotlights have replaced the original light fixtures near the columns to the east and west of the main altar.
|
1963
|
This is a picture of the Saint Joseph side altar during the Easter celebration.
|
1964 |
By this time, the four statues of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are in place in the main altar, and the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague is now in place next to the Blessed Virgin Mary side altar. Also, the colored mosaic background for all four side altars is in place. Notice the detailed walls and ceiling as well as the cupola above the pulpit. Also, the chandeliers are still in place in 1964. These are removed sometime between 1964 and 1967 and replaced with ceiling spotlights.
|
|
|
This is a daytime close-up of the previous picture. Note the beautiful carpet that covered most of the marble floor and the steps leading to the main altar. Note also that the gates are still attached to the altar railing.
|
2004 |
Note the different colors in the ceiling and walls as well as the absence of the cupola and chandeliers. The Sanctuary now includes the low altar and the gate on the railing is removed.
|
2014 |
|
|
|
This is a panorama shot of the interior taken during the day on July 17, 2014. All the light is natural sunlight revealing the natural beauty of the light emitted through the stained glass windows.
|
