First off - I'm a Presbyterian but not a member of Forth Presbyterian in Chicago. I was visiting Fourth Presbyterian to attend a financial conference sponsored by the demoination. This was my first visit to Fourth Presbyterian. This is a beautiful OLD church with a beautiful NEW addition to the rear of the old section. The old section includes the sanctuary and many of the functions normally associated with a church. The newer section includes a number of meeting rooms, a chapel, a day care center and other services. Fourth Presbyterian has been part of downtown Chicago since the 1870's or 80's. It is a warm welcoming community. read more

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Shortly before Christmas 2024, my daughter got us tickets to an Andrew Bird concert at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, right in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. It was our first time attending an Andrew Bird show and our first time stepping inside the church--and we were impressed by both! Believe it or not, I had never heard of Andrew Bird before the concert. It turned out to be a wonderful evening with Bird and his small band playing incredibly beautiful music. I was especially impressed by his ability to sing and play multiple instruments at the same time, particularly the violin, and do it all so brilliantly! We enjoyed every song of the evening! The opening act, solo harpist Mary Lattimore, was a delightful surprise. Not only was her harp playing mesmerizing, but she also entertained us with humorous stories. I didn't realize she could do so much with a harp, mixing her recordings live to create complex and harmonious sounds on the spot. The church itself, in Gothic style, was stunning. The acoustics and lighting were beautiful, making it the perfect venue for the concert. Since the seating was in church pews without assigned spots, tickets were sold by section. To get the best seats, we had to wait outside in the cold, but it was totally worth it. We managed to snag seats in the front row of the VIP section! My daughter mentioned that tickets usually sell out in an instant when they're released, so we felt lucky. I definitely look forward to attending again next time! read more

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Beautiful church in the middle of a busy area surrounded by lots of retail and restaurants read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - As you walk out - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Fourth is no longer a "Light in the City", not even close! More like a Dark Cloud! Today's sermon by Rocky Supinger was beyond disappointing, it was vile partisan politics delivered in an angry, creepy tone, and sadly all under the guise of the bible as they interpret it. Nothing inspirational, nothing unifying. Sad! We walked out mid-sermon, couldn't take anymore. And we were not the only ones to depart early. Won't return anytime soon. And, no celebratory 4th of July fence wrapping outside (for a church that celebrates every cause other than America), very sad but predictable I guess. Note to 4th... it is precisely this holiday that affords you the freedom to speak as you do. read more

While it feels odd to rate a church it is easy when it this church to give five stars. As everyone acknowledges it is absolutely amazing inside and was grateful to attend an Andrew Bird concert recently which was such an incredible venue for this concert. Sound is beautiful! First experience visiting even though have lived in city for many years and now wish I had visited much earlier. Have always heard how connected and helpful this congregation is for the city too. read more

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This church has excellent music and excellent and even better preaching! We travel all the way from St. Joseph, Michigan!

Was on the bus tour when I decided to get off and walk along the Magnificent Mile. I saw the lovely architecture of the church and decided to cross the street to get a closer look. The church has been around since 1914 and has a lot of its original interior and exterior. And the architect of the church was Ralph Adams Cram, America's leading Gothic revival architect. It is a pairing of English and French Gothic styles. Another architect designed the parish buildings surrounding an inner courtyard in a Tudor style - Howard Van Doren Shaw. There was a concert when I went in and it was lovely to sit in the pews and listen to the talented musicians. The carvings were exquisite as were the stained glass windows. The chandeliers hanging overhead cast a soft warm glow over the seats. They were not necessary at that time of day since the windows let in a good amount of light. It was nice to wander in the inner courtyard. A quiet space in the middle of the bustling city block. read more

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I joined this church years ago but when I returned after having moved away they said my earlier work to join the church no longer applied and I had to start over ... I guess they just lack the courage to just tell me to go away so they took the easy route of passive aggressiveness which is the route to hell, not heaven. All hat and no cattle, these people share in the Devil's words of cowardice that yield no faith, only failure. They should be ashamed of themselves. read more

There is something intriguing yet inviting about those beautiful gothic styled, vine covered walls of the Fourth Presbyterian Church. Bang in the middle of all the action on Michigan Ave, I'd always wanted to spend some time here and had the opportunity to do so today. If the beauty outside beckons the insides are gorgeous enough to not let go. A beautiful combination of calm, spirituality and architecture done well. The church is also home to the largest pipe organ in Chicago and I would love to come back when it is in play. Outside the calm courtyard is in deep contrast to the hustle and bustle just steps away. Lush greenery, Beautiful architecture and Spirituality for those inclined - do visit when here. read more

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I've heard of this church and its amazing architecture. I was in the Chicago area and had to visit. I was blown away by the details and love the lighting. The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was formed in February 1871 by the merger of Westminster Presbyterian Church and North Presbyterian Church. The combined congregation dedicated a new church building on Sunday, October 8, 1871. That was the same day as the beginning of the Great Chicago Fire, which destroyed the young congregation's new church building. The congregation subsequently built a second building, located at the corner of Rush Street and Superior Street, which was dedicated in February 1874. After nearly 40 years at that location, in 1912, the congregation decided to build a new building on Pine Street (now upper Michigan Avenue), which was then a fairly undeveloped part of the city. The congregation employed architect Ralph Adams Cram to build them a Gothic Revival building. Cram, who also designed the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, was at work on both churches at the same time during 1912. Only Fourth Presbyterian was completed, however, and was dedicated in 1914. Cram designed and built the church for Fourth Presbyterian's congregation, but the parish house, cloister, manse, and garth were designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw.The church building is the oldest structure on Michigan Avenue, with the exception of the Chicago Water Tower, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It seems all these reviews just talked about the beautiful architecture. It is beautiful, and there are tours on Sundays, but having been a member here for many years, I would love to tell you this is one of the most wonderful, inclusive churches, stretching out a helping hand to all in the city, from tutoring and mentoring of children, Social Services programs, feeding the homeless, classes to keep older adults active, social groups for people of all ages, an urban farm where people of all incomes can grow food for themselves, and a program for composting recycling and care of our Earth. There are several services on Sundays. The choir is just as beautiful as the architecture. And at 4 p.m. there is a special Jazz service with a jazz group. And as they tell you every week, all are welcomed regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation. read more

-Stunning church in the heart of the magnificent mile. -Gorgeous front facade with a beautiful and inviting courtyard. In the summertime especially this area shines with well-manicured gardens and a peaceful fountain. You'll often see wedding parties taking photos. -The nave is dramatic with large stone arches and elaborate and colorful stained glass windows. -They do many interesting events. We went to a wonderful performance of carols from around the world during Christmastime. The music was lovely and made even more joyous by the soaring surroundings tastefully decorated for the season. read more

This church is stunning!! If you're walking Michigan Ave make it a point to come and walk through this place, it's this moment of peace in the middle of all the busyness happening all around you. The stained glass and high ceiling are breathtaking. The way the ivy is growing over the brick is a beautiful contrast of color and texture. The fountain in the courtyard is lovely. There's so much history here and you can feel it all around you. read more

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Beautiful exterior and courtyard, and there was almost no one inside when we stopped in for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle on Michigan Ave. A lovely surprise to find in the middle of Michigan Ave. read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - Front at Christmas - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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As a long-time attendee of the church and having recently held my wedding ceremony at the church, I can now assure you that the church is all around wonderful whether you are looking for a place to attend a service, join a community, volunteer, admire architecture, enjoy musical concerts or get married. The ministers are progressive and open-minded and write thoughtful sermons which are often tied to current events. There are a number of opportunities to volunteer either through tutoring, a soup kitchen, community development and many other areas that I can't remember to list here. In high school I volunteered with the soup kitchen on Sunday evenings which is very active. If you are visiting Chicago, I would highly recommend attending either a Sunday service to hear the organ (and the Tower Brass every 3rd Sunday of the month) and experience the church or a one of the Friday noonday concerts which occur every Friday at noon and typically feature jazz music. The wedding staff can be strict, but they are very well organized and professional. After all, they would have to be to have "My Best Friend's Wedding" filmed at the church (true story). read more

This year was the third year in a row me and a friend have attended Andrew Bird's annual Christmas season concert here. This is the absolute perfect space to see a concert. Every seat in the house is great. The acoustics are amazing. The ambiance is magical. I hope that Mr Bird continues to play here year after year! read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - Andrew bird. Xmas tradition - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A stellar acoustic concert venue! I recently enjoyed one of my all-time favorites, Josh Ritter, in this incredible setting. Josh makes impeccable studio albums and puts on a great live show with his full band, but he really excels in this stripped-down format. The small group performed most songs in guitar-guitar-upright bass configurations. As others have rightly noted, the acoustics in this church are outstanding, and the aesthetics aren't half bad either. Gregory Alan Isakov and two friends (guitar-violin-cello) provided a wonderful opening--even though he broke my heart by omitting "The Stable Song" from his set list. At one point, the trio stepped out in front of all the equipment and performed two or three numbers completely unplugged. I believe that the seating sections are main floor front, main floor back, and second floor. In all instances, I advise arriving soon after the doors open to ensure a decent view. The sound will travel everywhere, but because of the unangled floor, vantage points are at a premium. Perhaps the second floor provides the best seats in the house; I'd like to try that next time. We were lucky enough to score front section tickets and arrive in time for a pretty good seat near the right side about ten rows back. The procedure to leave the seating area to visit the restroom and return is a bit byzantine, so for maximum convenience, go powder your nose before you settle in. But inconveniences are trivial in such a unique venue. Just sit back and take it all in. read more

We visited today from out of town. Welcoming congregation. Rich worship experience. Phenomenal sermon. read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came here on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Open House tour, it was a fantastically huge, impressive structure with a few different spaces. Having passed the front entrance on Michigan avenue so many times, it was a pleasure to finally peek in. The first space is a tremendous historic space with a modest sized Gothic style cathedral (by the same architect as the St John cathedral in NYC I learned!). Continue past there and there is an interesting diagonal building that has many resource for the homeless (who were congregated). Finally there is a newer chapel in back that has a colorful, light absorbing artwork, framed but the rising skyscrapers peering through the window slots. An amazing tour to take through this historic structure. read more

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I've been here twice, once for a wedding many years ago. The minister gave an uplifting sermon and clearly had obviously gotten to know the couple beforehand. The church is gorgeous, and courtyard was a great place to congregate for a few minutes with people after the service. (One fail, though--the bride had us release butterflies from cardboard boxes, but mine seemed to have taken its own life. How selfish of it on such a divine day.) The second time was last week, when they collaborated with Shambhala Chicago and Faith in Engelwood to bring the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche to consider the question, "Is Peace Possible?" How wonderful to be in an audience with optimistic people from different walks of life in such a time of horrible violence in our city. It's wonderful that these groups and individuals have the courage to address, rather than retreat from, these seemingly intractable problems. read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - The church hosted Shambhala's Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche for a talk, "Is Peace Possible?" Spoiler alert: the answer was "yes." - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Well, I tried. After going to this year's Easter service, I have decided my 20+ relationship with Fourth Presbyterian is over. Why? Shannon CONSTANTLY instills her political views - so subtly - in her sermons. I come to church to ESCAPE politics. I get it Shannon - we know which way you lean. Over and over - I get it. And the choir - so beautiful - still masked up in black masks. Why not white masks so it is not so startling. When reading the bulletin I see the words Radical - your mask policy. I am all about inclusion. We get it. Jesus included everyone. Patrons, pay very close attention to these subtle messages and the narrative. This is not the same church I joined when Buchanan was preaching. The only thing I will miss is the choir & music. read more

Real estate folk salivate at the possibilities of this potential piece of prime-time land, but amazingly the lovely Fourth Presbyterian Church still stands amongst the many modern towers surrounding it. A church that still looks like a church! Stop by the pleasant courtyard and the neo-Gothic interiors for a breather from the maddening shopping crowds along the Magnificent Mile. read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - Fourth Presbyterian Church - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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24 Dec - Xmas eve 10 pm service. What an amazing building and majestic place. Sadly, the service started with no 'hallo', no 'welcome ... Nothing .... just a monotone type, robotic sermon. Not even a smile. In fact, 3 people in the row behind ours, were just about sleeping. After the service, we waited 15 min for an uber, so I got a chance to observe.. bit. It was a kind of surreal... not sure if my disappointment clouded my judgement, ....but people surely didn't look like they just attended a 'magical Christmas service'. We tried this church because we are so tired of politics being preached from the pulpit. Also, it is fairly close to home, and I was very excited about scouting it out, so to speak. To be honest, it was felt more like a show or performance... kind of like a play with an audience that got to come for free. Kind of.... At least, when you enter this church, there is a sign by the door that says welcome. That is as good as it gets. It is well worth the visit to view the beautiful architecture, but if you seek something more, well ... yeah. :( read more

Such a beautiful church. Went for Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols. Packed house! We were blessed to get seats in main church. They had video streaming in the other chapels. Nicely done. They did candles with silent night and lit the angel carvings near the ceiling with pinpoint lights - beautiful! read more

Beautiful church that is open to the public! Even if you are not religious this is a must see on your trip through Chicago! The architecture is absolutely stunning! The stain glass windows and high arch well absolutely take anyone's breathe away! You surely will bit be disappointed! read more

Naturally as I am Presbyterian this review is biased. Kudos to Fourth Pres. for being what Christianity should be: progressive, tolerant, open-minded, enlightened and a force for communal good. This is not your father's megachurch. For those of you who revel in worshiping the old-school way, attend the 8:00am service which is replete with organ and choirs in full Gothic glory. The later 9:30am/11:00am services are slightly more contemporary while the 6:30pm is the most contemp. In short think of your run-of-the-mill suburban megachurch as Rush Limbaugh talk radio, while Fourth Presbyterian is NPR. Me, I'm the farthest thing ideological and spiritually from a bible beater, but I admire this church and its thinking-person's-Christianity. Go out of guilt or go out of curiosity; regardless, one of these days get your ass out of bed and stumble into the 8:00am Sunday service....you may like what you see. read more

Ok, this will not be a "preachy religious" review, I promise. Once in awhile I plan an excursion downtown on a Sunday for brunch and when I do, often I try to make one of the services at Fourth Presbyterian Church on N. Michigan Avenue, between Chestnut and Delaware Place. There are several things I love about "Fourth". 1. The feeling of calm I get as soon as I enter the building. If I've had a particularly rough week, just walking into the spacious sanctuary relaxes me. 2. The stark contrast that is painted between the chaos and noise of the world around us compared to quiet reverence to be found inside. 3. I'm a sucker for classical mega-pipe organs. This church has a masterful organ and organist. I could sit there for hours and just listen. The chancel choir is quite talented! 4. The building itself is fabulously beautiful It's difficult to not let your jaw drop a bit when you walk into the sanctuary. It's a rare combination of being huge, yet personal. 5. I have found the people to be very gracious and friendly, not pushy and you will experience no pressure to join. They realize that on any given Sunday, a high percentage of people sitting in the congregation are visitors. 6. The ministers. I've heard the Sr. Pastor several times and a couple of the Associates. All are very capable speakers that have kept my attention, provoked thought and provided inspiration. 7. On the "political" scale, I would say it tilts to the left, progressive, tolerant, caring of others and mission focused. If I lived downtown, I am quite certain I'd be attending regularly. I have no doubt should you decide to attend, you will come away feeling inspired and uplifted. I can't think of a better way to start the day. read more

I love their Friday noon concert. They bring pretty good musicians and try to offer variety of music and instruments every Friday. They take donations, and it is free. I like a concert in second floor for intimacy and better sounding effect. read more

As part of their "Music by the Fountain" series, Fourth Presbyterian Church hosts "Jazz Music Fridays" from 12:10 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., showcasing various Chicago singers. Friday, August 29, 2014, featured Chicago jazz vocalist Arlene Bardell, accompanied on piano by Chicago jazz pianist and composer Tom Muellner. During the allotted 50 minutes, Bardell captivated her audience, treating them with a set of 11 songs, some of which were "off the beaten path": "Down with Love," How Little We Know," "Then I'll Be Tired of You," "Close Your Eyes," "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You?" "I've Never Been in Love Before," "In the Still of the Night," "Young and Foolish," "When Your Lover Has Gone," "The More I See You," and "Everything I Love." I have to admit I was unfamiliar with perhaps five of these songs, which made me very happy, as I love to hear new, and great, music. Bardell's singing was clear -- I could understand her every word -- and she possesses a beautiful, silky voice with lingering vibrato. (You have to hear her to understand what I mean.) And Muellner's fine playing was a pleasure to witness. Having a musical background myself, I appreciate when audiences pay attention to the music, so I appreciated this quiet audience -- as well as relished that both Bardell and Muellner paid attention to each other when it was their turn to be in the "spotlight." On this particular day, Fourth Presbyterian's courtyard provided a sunny, foliage-filled venue -- with gentle breezes adding to the already-pleasurable experience. For almost an hour, with this fine music and ambiance, I felt I had been transported to the beaches of Brazil, but the church-bell's ring transported me right back to Chicago -- with Michigan Avenue's traffic only a sidewalk away -- which was fine with me, as I was still in my music-filled oasis. So I'm going to check out more of these wonderful, free, musical events at Fourth Presbyterian Church -- as well as follow Arlene Bardell: www.arlenebardell.com. I recently learned that she has a gig at New York City's Metropolitan Room on Sunday, October 12, and wish I could go, but I'll just have to make sure I see her in Chicago. Thank you, Fourth Presbyterian Church! read more

This is a review of this church, not of Presbyterianism in general. Fourth Presbyterian is definitely a see-and-be-seen kinda church, which I normally really dislike. However, this church is actually quite graceful and peaceful inside. It has the kind of detail you like to see in an old church, and it's small enough to be quaint while big enough to seat a pretty big crowd. The same Chinese Communist I took to Holy Name Cathedral played a music gig here (he's a classical musician), and really liked it and said they treated him well (didn't beg him for money or anything). After his gig there, it just happened that he and I were Christmas shopping on Michigan Avenue just before their Christmas pageant. We saw the signs and he said he'd never been to a Christmas pageant before and he wanted to go. I have to say, if you only go to one Christmas pageant your entire life, this is a great one to start with. They had readings of the story straight from the Bible, they had little child shepherds, a pre-pubescent Joseph and Mary, and kids dressed up as sheep and even a camel (he picked that time to tell me he'd actually eaten a camel in Canton once). Anyway, the pastor is Scottish (Presbyterianism is Scottish after all), and the location is convenient if you're already downtown or along the north lakefront, and they do a killer Christmas pageant (I suppose calling their Easter pageant "killer" might be a bad pun, though. Check it out if you're in the area - can't really miss it, since it's across from the Hancock Building and all. read more

The cloisters and courtyard make for a most romantic setting. In the very center is "the Children's Fountain" - often filled with floating rose petals in the summer. You can enjoy free noon concerts here. Look for gargoyles in the stone carvings. Magical place. read more

I have drove past this a couple times, but stopped in after visiting the John Hancock Tower. I loved it, and have plans on visiting again in the near future for more information about baptism at this church. This beautiful Presbyterian church is located right across from John Hancock Tower, and Cheesecake factory. It is a must see if you are visiting Chicago. Enjoy! read more

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I found the 4 p.m. jazz service in the courtyard both warm and encouraging. Fourth Presbyterian clearly wants to be present to its diverse neighborhood. We will certainly return to visit this church whenever we are in the city. read more

Gorrrrrgeous garden. Purple flowers are the shizness! Who would think that a Chicago church could become a tourist attraction? Great architecture and gardening bodes well for this institution's popularity. read more

Fourth Presbyterian Church - Churches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A peacful spot in the middle of hustle and bustle. That is worth five stars. However, I decided to attend church service with Pastor Shannon who started her sermon off with a good message but then proceeded to make it political and personal, which I DID NOT APPRECIATE. In the future, remember you are in a LEADERSHIP ROLE and your flock need to have their spiritual needs met. If you have a political agenda, go talk to someone else but keep it out of your sermon. read more

The church is beautiful, the choir is talented and the music (for the morning services) is traditional and great. These things are great perks, and clearly appreciated by many, as indicated by other reviews. But these are perks. I attend church to grow as a Christian and I support churches that foster community initiatives I believe are important. I leave Fourth services thinking "What did I just listen to?" more often than not. The most recent example has driven me to write this review. Today's 9:30 sermon was given by Associate Pastor Hardy Kim. He read a short verse from scripture about persistence in faith, and then went on to elaborate on two recent articles discussing the hurdles and long-term prospects for liberal, lay-churches. i.e. Churches that emphasize personal understanding and relationships with religion and God (vs more traditional orthodoxy "this is what religion means. Period."). Having gone to liberal, lay-churches all my life, I'm familiar with, and sympathize with this dilemma. Maintaining core values are important for any organization, arguably even more so for religious organizations. Lay-churches must balance their support of individualized religiosity with the need to reinforce core church values, lest they fade into some relativist mish-mash of good people who primarily give them 4-5 stars on Yelp! based on the quality of their architecture and gospel music... So what core value did Mr. Kim ask the congregation to faithfully follow with persistence? "At coffee hour following the service, please make your way over to our outreach table to sign a petition to legislate the elimination of conceal-and-carry within churches and places of worship." I paraphrase, but you get the point. Given the concerns raised in the sermon, this is the chosen rallying call? Ignore for a moment where you stand on the issue of gun-control, just consider this in the context of the sermon regarding the viability of lay-churches... Is he serious? And it's not just Mr. Kim... Associate Pastor Judith Watt then stood up and gave the benediction, requesting much from the Lord, including relief from the gun violence occurring in our great city. Not all violence. Gun violence. Now, I recognize the value of engaging the congregation in actionable faith, but is there anything a good Christian (or general person) could think of that the city of Chicago needs more than conceal-carry restrictions on church property? Are there any core values that might be more appropriate for a sermon above and beyond conceal-carry restrictions on church property? I was unaware this was even an area of concern! I do now... The pulpit should be used to promote Christian values while furthering congregational understanding of the good book and fostering our relationship with God. Save the politicking for coffee hour - keep it out of the sanctuary. But seriously, it's a pretty church. read more

The Buchanan Chapel of the Fourth Presbyterian Church was one of the program venues for the 2016 Chicago Humanities Festival. This was my first time inside this sanctuary, although I have walked by on countless occasions. While making my way to the event space, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take in the Loggia Gallery, a year-round showcase of works from artists throughout the United States. The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and is a welcome respite from the hustle of the city. As one who enjoys seeing artwork in unexpected places, I highly recommend this to anyone looking to venture outside the traditional museum setting. As to the event itself, I will say that I probably relished the view onto the courtyard more than listening to the speaker (an author who had written a book extolling the virtues of slowness). I admire this church for its emphasis on culture and the arts, especially through its thoughtful exhibitions and ongoing support of humanities festival programming. read more

So it sounds like from the reviews that if you want to see good architecture, go see this church, But if you want to get a spiritual benefits, like a wonderful place to worship the Lord, then go elsewhere. Am I right? Sorta like Hey lets go to a museum today! read more

Beautiful church. Open to the public & offers free brown-bag concerts during the work day. Even if you're just passing through, it is worth stopping in to see the beauty of this Church. read more

Formal, audacious, old school, stirring, culture-shaping. Fourth is unlike any other Protestant church in Chicago. Like many of our cathedral-esque church buildings, Fourth attracts many tourists, but the preaching, music, educational offerings and service to the community are life-changing. read more