Concerts in Old Town
- Holiday Brass & Choral
- Friday, December 20, 8 pm
St. Michael’s Church is the only city venue for the traditional Holiday Brass and Choral Concert. This neighborhood church in Chicago’s Old Town is an ideal setting for the concert because of its spacious sanctuary and outstanding acoustics. St. Michael’s seats more than 1,000.
Because on-street parking is extremely limited, public transportation is strongly encouraged. Taxicabs are available at the close of the concert.
Getting There:
- Get map & driving directions »
- From the North:
Lake Shore Drive south to LaSalle/North Avenue exit, west on North Avenue to Cleveland, 1 block north to church OR I-90/94 (Kennedy) south to North Avenue, east to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- From the Northwest suburbs:
I-90/94 (Kennedy) south to North Avenue exit, east to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- From the South:
Lake Shore Drive north to LaSalle/North Avenue exit, west on North Avenue to Cleveland, 1 block north to church OR I-90/94 (Kennedy) north to North Avenue, east to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- From the West:
I-290 (Eisenhower) east to I-90/94 (Kennedy), north on I-90/94 to North Avenue exit, North Avenue east to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- Parking:
The nearest public parking lot is several blocks east of the church, at Piper’s Alley Theater at North Avenue and Wells. (See Restaurants/Valet Parking below.)
- CTA travel:
(Information at 312.836.7000 or CTA website):
- Brown Line elevated train to Sedgwick, west 2 blocks to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- #36 Broadway bus to North Avenue, west 6 blocks to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- #22 Clark bus to North Avenue, west 6 blocks to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
- #8 Halsted bus to North Avenue, east 5 blocks to Cleveland, 1 block north to church.
Nearby Restaurants That Offer Valet Parking:
- Bistrot Margot
- 1437 North Wells Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.587.3660
or OpenTable.com - Black Duck Tavern & Grill
- 1800 North Halsted Street, Chicago
NO reservations: 312.664.1801 - Boka
- 1729 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312. 337.6070
or OpenTable.com - Dinotto Ristorante
- 215 West North Avenue, Chicago
Reservations: 312.202.0302 - Fireplace Inn
- 1448 North Wells Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.664.5264
or OpenTable.com - Kamehachi
- 1400 North Wells Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.664.3663
or OpenTable.com - King Crab
- 1816 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.280.8990 - Landmark
- 1633 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.587.1600
or OpenTable.com - Marge’s Still
- 1758 North Sedgwick Street, Chicago
NO reservations: 312.664.9775 - Salpicon
- 1252 North Wells Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.988.7811
or OpenTable.com - Trattoria Gianni
- 1711 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.266.1976 - Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern
- 1655 North Sedgwick Street, Chicago
NO reservations: 312.266.1616 - Vinci
- 1732 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Reservations: 312.266.1199
or OpenTable.com
1633 North Cleveland Ave. (near North Ave.), Chicago (Old Town)
Mapquest Map
About St. Michael’s
St. Michael’s Catholic Church was built in 1869 by the Redemptorist Fathers for the German community in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. Architect August Wallbaum designed the church, which was built on land donated to the parish by Michael Diversey, namesake of Diversey Avenue and owner of the Diversey beer brewery. Until 1885, St. Michael’s was the tallest building in Chicago.
When the 1871 Great Chicago Fire threatened the building, some of the church treasures and many volumes from its library were buried beneath the ground. Other items, including the hand-carved stations of the cross, were gathered into a wagon and taken north, away from the threat of fire. Most of the structure, including the bell tower’s huge bronze bells, was destroyed in the fire; however, the solid brick and stone walls, and soaring Corinthian columns survived.
Two years earlier the church cost $131,251 to build but, thanks to donated labor, damage was repaired at a cost of only $40,000. St. Michael’s was re-dedicated about a year after the Great Fire in October 1871, but it was not until 1876 that the church bells were replaced. It is said that you live in Old Town if you can hear the bells in the church tower.
In September 1902 sixteen leaded and stained windows created by the Mayer Window Art Institute of Munich, Germany were installed. These windows are highly ranked among the examples of German Ecclesiastic art glass existing in this country.
Pricing Chart
$75 (A) |
$55 (B) |
$45 (C) |
$27 (Upper Balcony) |
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Obstructed View |
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