RESTORATION OF LOUIS SULLIVAN - DESIGNED HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

by Stella Kapetan

The congregation of Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago's Ukrainian Village, one of two houses of worship designed by architect Louis Sullivan and the only one still operating in that capacity, has completed the largest restoration in its history.

“The work that was done here is a testament that we have been and will continue to be here for another 130 years,” said the Rev. Alexander Koranda, parish priest since 2017.

Metal trim around the church and rectory roof and windows – which had rusted and rotted to the extent that birds were nesting in the space -- was repaired. Missing pieces were replicated. The flat material used to fill in the cracks in the stucco over the years was stripped, the cracks were refilled and texturized and the entire exterior was painted. The rectory glass block windows were replaced with original style double pane windows, and the stairs were rebuilt. There are plans to reopen the rectory vestibule that was enclosed years ago.

Of the $600,000 restoration cost, parishioners and word of mouth raised all but $250,000, which came from the Citywide Adopt-a- Landmark Fund, leveraged by downtown development (see related story page 9).

Before

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

After

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

Holy Trinity Church at 1121 N. Leavitt St. was founded in 1892 by Carpatho-Russian immigrants from Russia and Western Ukraine and led by the Rev. John Kochurov. Their efforts to raise the $27,000 building cost received a boost from Russian Czar Nicholas II’s $4,000 donation, part of a tradition of state-subsidized churches.

A number of architects submitted plans – some quite elaborate – to Kochurov. According to a Holy Trinity fundraising letter in 2008, the Russian Empire pavilion at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair had attracted much public interest because of its styling like an ornate Orthodox church.

Charles R. Crane, Chicago heir to the plumbing fixtures fortune, admired Russian culture and became interested in the building of the church. He was also a donor, as was Harold McCormick of the namesake Chicago farm implement company. Crane introduced Sullivan to Kochurov. Koranda said that what started for Sullivan as another business project turned into a fondness for the congregation.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church after renovation.

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

“Sullivan fell in love with the project,” he said. “He liked working with the people.” The church has in its archives a letter Sullivan wrote on Aug. 26, 1903, to Prince Nicholas W. Eugatilcheff, Russian Vice Consul and a member of the building committee, in which he expresses this kinship.

“I would like to call your attention to a little matter, in the hope it may influence other well-wishers of your church: - My usual charge for work of this character and cost.…is 10% (ten per centum) upon the cost. However, my relations with Baron M. Schippenbach, yourself, and Mr. Charles R. Crane, have been for years so cordial, and our mutual desire to see a beautiful little Russian Church erected in this city, so great and enthusiastic, that I consented to do the work for 5% commission - which means - practically - cost to me - and in money terms, a donation of $1250.70 to the church.

Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean.

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

“I have had no reason whatever to regret this act of mine, and hope, only, that it may influence other well wishers, to contribute liberally, so that in the course of the ensuing year or two we may see our beautiful little church decorated in color outside and inside in the rich and beautiful way we all have had in mind - This accomplished, your church structure will be one of the most unique and poetic buildings in the country.

“Let us hasten the day! With sincere regard to yourself and to all your co-workers.

“Truly yours Louis H. Sullivan”

Sullivan designed a simple building similar to the parishioners’ rural churches in Russia. The 47-foot-by 98-foot church has a central octagonal dome and a bell tower, each topped by an onion dome and a cross.

The facade of Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral under renovation

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

Holy Trinity's Rectory after renovation.

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

“Original parishioners were from more humble areas than major Russian metropolises,” Koranda said, adding that the bell tower, dome, the three distinct parts and the arches make it “intimate and Orthodox in its architecture. The church gives you a grand feeling, and you feel the presence of God through the architecture, but it’s not overwhelming.” Sullivan also designed the arch above the entrance doors and donated the glass, multi-colored chandelier that hangs in the sanctuary. The building was completed and consecrated in 1903.

It became a cathedral in 1923 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

St. John Kochurov of Chicago, builder of Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

Today, the Cathedral has 113 active adult members. Half are converts to Orthodoxy, while the others are a mix of foreign and native born, lifelong Orthodox Latvians, Romanians, Slavic, Greeks and Russians, some who can trace their ancestors to the founders.

It is important to Koranda and the parishioners that the Cathedral serve the community. The Cathedral Kitchen ministry serves a hot lunch onsite to the homeless and others in need every Saturday, and four different 12-step programs meet in the rectory building. Koranda

is on the advisory board of nearby AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. He said he keeps the front doors open “every time I am in the cathedral -- for services or for work. The only time the doors are closed is during unpredictable weather.”

Koranda said that neighbors, people visiting the hospital and those commuting to and from work who want to “clear their heads” often drop in. “There is something that speaks to their soul that brings them in. People carry very heavy burdens and crosses throughout their life and coming to the church allows them to seek meaningful help from the Lord. For my part, I simply open the door, offer a kind word, or even pray with those who walk in. My main role is not to interfere.”

The restoration has Koranda and the parishioners looking to the future. “We see so many churches being sold, demolished, and even repurposed, but thank God, we have restored our temple for its proper use - to glorify God,” he said.

Rev. John Kochurov was canonized as a saint after he was killed in 1917 by Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution for leading a prayer service and procession for peace through the town of Tsarskoye Selo. Sullivan can be seen in the mid-left image.

Images courtesy of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.