Between temperatures in the teens and our first snow, there’s no denying that winter has arrived in Chicago. I’ve always loved this season of slowing down and taking in the city, from twinkling lights to cozy neighborhood pubs.
If you want to admire a beautiful interior, look no further than the Second Presbyterian Church in Chicago’s South Loop. The church’s early congregation included wealthy Chicagoans like the Pullmans and Armours. The English Gothic building was first completed in 1874 by James Renwick of Smithsonian fame. After a fire in 1900, Howard Van Doren Shaw rebuilt the church with an Arts and Crafts interior. The gorgeous woodwork, murals, plaster castings, and stained glass windows.
Second Presbyterian Church boasts several colorful glass window artworks. Nine of the stained windows were created by Tiffany Studios. The Peace Window was designed by Tiffany and installed in 1903. It was restored from 2017 to 2018. More than a century later, there’s no shortage of beauty to marvel in at Second Presbyterian Church.
What spaces do you like to visit during winter?
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
