Lincoln Square and Ravenswood’s Religious Symbols

Churches, statues, and signs found off of the Western Brown Line in Chicago

The religious landscape of Lincoln Square and Ravenswood is expansive with its numerous branches of religious churches. In the era of post-secularism, however, there is a strong lack of religious symbols on other property types such as housing, businesses, and parks. The churches and a few religious symbols found in yards are all within walking distance from one another, from five to fifteen minutes. The churches are off the main roads, often on the corner of neighborhood intersections, tucked away with trees and other vegetation.

The Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Lincoln Square, Chicago. It is one of the largest churches in the area with its sheer size, traditional-styled structure, and large sculptures.

Ravenswood’s United Church of Christ is very simplistic in design. It looks like it could have once been a private school with its very outdated architecture. The windows were thin, the paint was chipping, and the aging bricks seem to have been placed there long ago.

The churches and religious symbols were connected primarily to Christianity, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Three of the churches are of the Christian branch, one from Catholicism, and two from Protestantism. Their approximation to one another was less than one mile and no more than two miles, a maximum of 15 minutes of walking. Although it does not seem like there is a high concentration of religious symbols and churches in the community, there was quite a bit that was not mentioned in this photo essay. It was surprising to realize how many churches existed in this area on the map because it is not a dense religious area. This may also be in part because the churches blend more into the neighborhood than stand alone.

Street Sign in Lincoln Square for Ravenswood’s United Church of Christ found on the corner of Pensacola and Lincoln Ave. The United Church of Christ is about two blocks into the neighborhood from this sign.

Most of the churches were less grandiose in the traditional sense, often made of bricks or cheaper materials, resembling outdated schools or storefronts. As mentioned in class, sacred spaces have transformed outside of commonly known conventional church establishments. Several of the churches did not appear to have any religious marking except for the sign of the church. It appeared much more welcoming and community-based because the architecture matched the surrounding area, rather than a monumental building sitting among smaller houses and apartment buildings.

Luther Memorial Church in Lincoln Square. It is the most west church in this photo essay, about a 5-minute walk from the Western Brown Line.

Lincoln Square’s Christ Community Church. This is a more traditional church that could have been seen in the further suburbs of Chicago as well. This is about a ten-minute walk from the Western Brown Line.

This area is predominantly White upper-middle-class young families. There is an abundance of wealth in the community which is reflected in the downtown Lincoln Square area on Lincoln Avenue. It is apparent that religion is not a common denominator in this area. Many yard signs were found throughout the neighborhood that proudly proclaimed, “science is real, love is love!” as well as many LGBT and “Black Lives Matter” signs in the windows. Based upon political socialization, the more an individual engages in left-leaning politics, the less religious they become. The Lincoln Square and Ravenswood area reflect this.

Ravenswood’s Baptist Church. Per the sign above the door, it was erected in 1902, making it 119 years old. The architecture reflects how long this church has been standing in the community.

Lincoln Square Presbyterian Church is located in a storefront-like building among a row of other shops. It represents the change in sacred spaces in a post-secular era.

The religious symbols in this area do not predominantly include Judaism or Islam and do not have religious structures such as synagogues or mosques. Lincoln Square and Ravenswood are one of the last Northern suburbs before arriving upon the largest Jewish population in the city in the northern and northwestern suburbs of Chicago. With respect to Muslims, the major Islamic neighborhoods are found in the southern parts of Chicago. Based on the geography of the concentrated religions, it is not surprising to see more Catholic and Christian-based religious symbols.

Decorations Celebrating Easter on a Balcony in Lincoln Square. Numerous houses in the neighborhood celebrated with flags, banners, and yard signs.