The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, Little Italy, Chicago

The church of St Mary Magdalene was founded c1220, re-built in the early 16th century, and greatly altered over succeeding centuries, with major overhauls in 1860s by A W Blomfield and in 1903 by G F Bodley. The building is now listed Grade II*.

Although it has been significantly altered over time, the church continues to be of great architectural and historical significance, with a thriving parish community which is open, inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

It is situated, appropriately, on Paradise Road.

Following the installation of Luke Hughes Charterhouse stacking pews in 2017, the COVID epidemic interrupted completing the liturgical scheme. Only in 2025 was there a move to complete the church fit out with a set of liturgical furniture in keeping with the rest of the interior. The package included a new nave altar, lectern, clergy seating, prayer desks and display cabinet.

The altar carries the inscription ‘Whom sleekest thou?’ (John 20v15) – the words spoken by the risen Christ to St Mary Magdalene when they meet in the garden after the crucifixion and his interment – a most poignant moment in the New Testament. Although there is a complex history of the interpretations of her life, her morals, biography and importance in the interpretation of the Gospels (and subsequent commentators), there is consensus that Mary Magdalene’s importance in the New Testament story was not only as a witness to the crucifixion and burial, but also as the first to relay news of the resurrection to the rest of the disciples.

Her story has been much celebrated in literature and has inspired some of the greatest artists, including Brunelleschi, Titian, Fra Angelica, Aremisia Gentileschi, Giotto, Raphael, Rubens, Guido Reni, and Tintoretto.

See: https://richmondteamministry.org/st-mary-magdalene/