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    The Center

    4.9 (12 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

    The Center Photos

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    Main building on left and directions on the post
    Rick B.

    Surprised there are so few reviews for The Center...but I'll add mine for this 5-star little treasure in Palos Park, Illinois. First of all, the official name is The Chicago Southwest Suburban Community Parish and Community Center Foundation...which doesn't roll easily off the tongue so they call it The Center. Second, there are really three main parts to The Center...the Wayside Chapel, the Arts buildings, and the Children's Farm across the street. Being religiously affiliated, these places and spaces are all part of a wonderful welcoming community. The Wayside Chapel is a place of worship that has Sunday vespers and monthly Communion Sundays...among other chapel services, some non-denominational. There is a spiritual director for those in need, they offer anniversary programs and dinners, can host weddings, and many other services. The Chapel represents the spiritual core of The Center...and you can partake as much or as little as you wish. You will never feel pressured to participate in any religious services...you have to seek them out. The Arts buildings offer programs at reasonable prices that run the gamut of creativity...basketry, calligraphy, pottery, weaving, woodcarving, paper making, photography, and on and on. These programs are usually held in The Center's rustic cabins. During the summer months The Center also puts on summer camps for children who sign up...also showing them many of the art forms. The Childrens' Farm is located across the street and is a real operating business. They have all the usual farm animals - sheep, chickens, pigs, cows, and the like. Here too children can sign up for programs held during the year on the farm...such as learning how to plant and grow seedlings and sprouts, how sheep wool becomes clothing, and many other programs for kids. In short, this is a family treat...there are wonderful programs for kids and adults all year long. There is no charge to visit and walk the grounds, while any programs you might want to join generally have a small fee attached. If you do nothing else, drop by and walk around their little campus and you won't be sorry.

    Goat petting @ The Center

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    3 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    This is a very special place!! Very peaceful and helping many people find spirituality and a better way of life.

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    4 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    Review Highlights - The Center

    All of the different holiday events they sponsor, whether at the Farm or in the Art area are so unique.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Sonia Bartzis Events

    Sonia Bartzis Events

    (1 review)

    She planned our Quince and it was so amazing, our cousin from out of town booked her to plan her…read moredaughter's quince also. We saw photos and videos of wedding she has planned and will definitely use her when the time comes. Every step of the way Sonia was there for us, I cannot recommend her enough.

    From the owner: Sonia Bartzis Events is a premier wedding, quinceañera, and special event planning company…read morededicated to creating unforgettable, luxurious experiences that reflect your unique vision. We specialize in crafting personalized events that are as unique as the individuals they celebrate. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a quinceañera, or any special occasion, our meticulous attention to detail and client-focused approach ensure that every aspect of your event is flawlessly executed. What sets us apart is our commitment to delivering truly bespoke services. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, we work closely with you to understand your desires and bring your dreams to life. Our extensive network of top-tier vendors, exclusive venue access, and years of industry experience allow us to curate events that are elegant, sophisticated, and tailored to your style. At Sonia Bartzis Events, we believe that the planning process should be as enjoyable as the event itself. We handle all the logistics, so you can relax and savor the moments that matter most. Our passion for excellence and dedication to our clients are at the heart of everything we do, making us the ideal choice for those seeking a stress-free, luxurious event planning experience. Choose Sonia Bartzis Events to transform your vision into a reality and create memories that will last a lifetime.

    Kara Superfine Events

    Kara Superfine Events

    (3 reviews)

    Marquette Park, Chicago Lawn

    The magic of our wedding weekend was only possible with Kara. She is an absolute gem. From her…read moreexpert design eye and logistical skills in the months leading up to the big day, to her adept coordination of dozens of vendors and team members on the day-of, Kara handled everything with accuracy, patience, and grace. She's a wonderful person and a joy of a collaborator. We don't typically write reviews, but Kara deserves the world and all the public praise in it. If you're looking for the best wedding planner in Chicago, Kara's it!

    Brides and grooms to-be,…read more My husband and I worked with Kara to plan our December 2015 wedding. I truly cannot say enough good things about Kara and I would recommend her to everyone and anyone. Having Kara as our planner was worth every penny. Kara was always a professional, offering us creative ideas, wonderful, cost-effective vendors and a beyond helpful wedding timeline. Kara's attention to detail is extraordinary. She is always responsive to email, on top of the budget and sensitive to her client's desires. She was truly our partner in creating our magical wedding weekend. Attending vendor meetings, dress fittings and anything we requested along the way. Kara is fabulous and I miss her already! Her on site team on wedding day was top notch with every staffer having answers to any and all questions. I work in the event industry and I'm sure I had some extra challenging and unique requests and questions due to my day job. Kara handled it all flawlessly. Hands down, Kara is the best. Sincerely, Mrs. B

    Simplicitee

    Simplicitee

    (2 reviews)

    Lakeview

    If you are looking for a wedding planner than truly do not look any further than Becky. Becky is…read morethe absolute best from organization, people skills, vendor awareness/contacts and overall planning of your special day. The most important thing is she does it all with a smile and always makes her clients feel like they are top priority to her, because they are. Our wedding went off without a hitch thanks to Becky and her amazing service. We truly could not thank her enough and will definitely recommend her to others who are in need of assistance for their big day, whether it's partial or full wedding planning she's THE BEST there is. Thank you so much Becky for all your help and for most importantly being the best person we could have found!

    Becky came highly reccomended by a friend, and exceeded our expectations. My fiancé and I got…read moremarried in Feb of 2022 on the tail end of a COVID spike which gave us crazy anxiety. Becky was the Xanax in human form and her organization and communication was such a source of comfort. Becky coordinated seamlessly with our vendors to make sure everyone was on the same page leading up to the event. She created a day of itinerary that was left in a shared google drop box so that any changes were easily added and communicated. As much as we left room for error or delay in our timeline, everything went to smoothly that it almost wasn't necessary. On the day of the wedding, Becky checked in on me to see if I needed anything and reminded me to enjoy my day. I was able to enjoy the day to the fullest due to her preparation and execution. I was extremely stubborn about using a wedding planner and insisted I could plan everything, but was totally kidding myself. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a Becky, my only regret was not hiring her sooner in my planning process.

    The Center - eventservices - Updated June 2026

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