The former Church of the Epiphany and its campus along Route 66 in Chicago have been converted into a performing arts center that includes a cafe and courtyard after a multimillion-dollar renovation.
According to a detailed report by Block Club Chicago, the 19th-century church at 201 S. Ashland Ave. has become the Epiphany Center for the Arts, with three music venues — Epiphany Hall, The Sanctuary and The Catacombs.
A series of indoor Candlelight Concerts kicked off in recent weeks. They are limited to 50 guests, who must stay seated and wear masks.
Developer David Chase and his wife, Kimberly Rachal, converted the former church and adjacent property into a $15 million venue to host live music, art exhibits, weddings, galas and other private events. […]
While the church’s “bones” were in very good shape, Chase said they restored the stained glass, installed a new HVAC system, new plumbing, electrical and excavated two feet from the floor of the basement. While they brought things up to date, crews were diligent about preserving much of the church’s original character, like the terracotta tiles inside the church and the woodwork throughout all the buildings.
Epiphany Hall can hold about 1,000 people during non-pandemic times, though it can hold only about 50 seated masked patrons now because of COVID-19 restrictions. It currently is the only operating indoor music venue in Chicago.
The Sanctuary will hold about 150. The Catacombs will be used for House music events and art exhibits. Another building on the campus, called Chase House, will be used for weddings and culinary events.
Chase said he and his wife lived in the church neighborhood for 25 years and were married there. They originally considered converting the closed church into a hotel or residential development, but those who toured the property noted its great acoustics and its suitability for events.
The Block Club Chicago story contains dozens of photos of the complex.
Church of the Epiphany was an Episcopalian church, built of stone in 1885 in a distinctive Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. It was designated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. According to Preservation Chicago, the church closed in 2011 due to its shrinking congregation.
The church sits on a corner of West Adams Street, which is the westbound alignment of Route 66.
(Hat tip and image courtesy of David G. Clark)