Photos

Historic Bronzeville churches mark inaugural Mass as new parish

Members of Our Lady of Africa Parish gather for their inaugural Mass on July 4, 2021 at the Holy Angels worship site, 615 E. Oakwood Blvd. Our Lady of Africa is the result of merging together St. Ambrose, St. Anselm of Canterbury, Corpus Christi, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Holy Angels parishes through the Renew My Church process. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The bronze statue of Our Lady of Africa is enshrined in the church narthex. A Corpus Christi parishioner commissioned the statue and donated it to the church 25 years ago. It was moved to the Holy Angels worship site prior to the inaugural Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Divine Word Father Robert Kelly, pastor, addresses those attending the first Mass of Our Lady of Africa Parish on July 4, 2021 at the Holy Angels worship site, 615 E. Oakwood Blvd. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Kelly incenses the statue of Our Lady of Africa prior to the start of the inaugural Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
On right, Tasha McShan, supreme steward of the Ladies of Grace, fourth degree, of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver, prays during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Priests and deacons clap their hands to the sacred music at the start of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Michael Foggie kisses the Gospel following the reading. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Daughters of Divine Love pray during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Michael Hill leads the congregation in praise. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Worshipers hold their hands out in prayer during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Tyrone Pittman, executive director of the Chicago Black Catholic Choir, directs the choir. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The choir sings during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Katherine Shaw prays during the Eucharistic Prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Worshipers dance to the sacred music at the end of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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