Composed of over 700,000 pieces of antique English glass and inspired by Sainte-Chapelle, the stained glass windows of the Saint James Chapel at the Archbishop Quigley Center (formerly the Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary) have been called "the crown jewel of Chicago's architecture."
Founded by Chicagoans of many faiths in 1994, Friends of the Windows is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of this spectacular collection of stained glass.
The Friends of the Windows host complimentary docent-guided tours every Saturday from 9 to 11 am (except holiday weekends.) Tickets or reservations are not required. Tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted.
Group Tours: We welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge and appreciation of the Chapel and its windows with architecture aficionados of all ages. If you would like to arrange a group tour for your class, coworkers or social group, please contact Ms. Marcela Bermudez at (312) 534-8199.
Concerts
Free Second Saturday at One Concerts are performed in the Chapel at Rush Street and Pearson, Chicago. No tickets are required.
The Friends of the Windows also hosts free one-hour classical programs performed by professional vocalists and instrumentalists on the Second Saturday of each month at 1 pm (unless otherwise shown): the "Second Saturday at One" series runs from September through May each year. No tickets or reservations are needed for these free popular hour-long fine arts programs now in their sixteenth year in the famed Chapel at the Quigley Center.
Masking and spacing are required.
Tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted.
2022 - 2023 Concert Schedule
Please note:
Because of Holy Week activities in the Chapel, we have had to cancel the April Second Saturday concert. We apologize for any inconvenience. February, March and May concerts will be performed as scheduled.
Sep. 10 Clarissa Bevilacqua, violin. Works by Poulenc, Brahms and Gershwin
A first prize winner of the Mozart Competition, Salzburg, Ms. Bevilacqua, has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe since making an appearance in Chicago's Pritzker Pavilion at the age of nine.
Oct. 8 Timothy Archbold, cello and Karen Archbold, soprano. Composers include Handel, Mozart, and Walker.
Nov. 12 Uli Widmaier, viola
Dec. 10 Loyola Academy Honors Chamber Singers
Jan. 14 January Jubilee: Noted organist John Sherer performs music from Bach to Price celebrating the new year, Epiphany and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
Feb. 11 Steven Yepez, flute
Mar. 11 Mark Valenti, piano
Apr. 8 Canceled
May 13 Jeffrey Panko, piano
Weddings
All wedding arrangements must be made with the Archdiocese of Chicago. Please click here to visit the Archdiocese of Chicago website, email chapel-wedding@archchicago.org, or call (312) 534-8199.
Location
The Saint James Chapel is located within the Archbishop Quigley Center at 835 North Rush Street (at Pearson), just one block west of the John Hancock Center.
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