Art at St. Benedict the African reflects experience of black Catholics

A crucifix iat St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St., is modeled after the San Damiano cross and features a corpus modeled after an African-American man and images of key historical figures in black Catholic history. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A stained-glass image of St. Benedict the African at Church, 340 W. 66th St., features images from the Chicago skyline. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Artist Jan Spivey-Gilchrist's painting of Mary and the child Jesus used parishioners at St. Benedict the African as models. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Stained-glass images at St. Benedict the African Church depict key figures in American black Catholic history. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A large, hand-wovenm tapestry hangs behind the altar at St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A hand-carved wooden statue of St. Martin de Porres at St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St., features a background that includes the Chicago skyline. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The parish baptismal font at St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St., holds 10,000 gallons of water and is the focal point as people make their way to the worship area. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The doors to St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St. , feature people making their way in.(Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Exterior of St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St., May 17, 2018. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)