St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Ashburn to Hold Final Service After 67 Years

The parishioners of St. Thomas More Catholic Church are facing a poignant transition, as their beloved church is slated to close its doors after this Easter Sunday. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has decided to cease liturgical services at the 67-year-old Ashburn church as of May 25. This decision comes despite the facility's excellent condition and historical significance, characterized by its modernist architecture and ring of stained glass windows that recount the story of its namesake, Thomas More.

While the church's future services are ceasing, and having witnessed a decrease in attendance to about 300 members, the building itself will not be abandoned. Announced by an archdiocese spokesperson, the church is set to become a hub for outreach ministries, operated by the Black Catholic Initiative and the Augustus Tolton Spirituality Institute. The new purpose for the space is "to use the space as an opportunity for faith-learning, faith sharing and faith exploration," but the art, artifacts, and pews are to remain intact, as reported by the Sun-Times.

In juxtaposition to this sad news for St. Thomas More parishioners, Pullman’s Greenstone Methodist Church is witnessing a revival. Thanks to a community-led fundraising effort, this historical church raised over $20,000 to pay for a disruptive People's Gas bill. As ABC7 Chicago informs us, the church, which has braved through two winters without heat, holds in its walls 144 years of community faith and perseverance. The church is set to invite the public for Pullman Railroad days this May 17 and 18, showcasing its nearly original fixtures and celebrating its sustained purpose.

Back in Ashburn, parishioners, meanwhile, are struggling to process the imminent closure of their spiritual home. "I don't think I will be I will register at any church anymore if they close this church, I'm glued to Saint Thomas More," Kate Aguanunu, who has belonged to St. Thomas More since 1985, told ABC7 Chicago. The remaining church members hold tightly onto hope that the archdiocese may yet have a change of heart.