Grace Episcopal Church
Grace Episcopal Church
The Hands and Feet of God, Serving in Love
Our Leaders
The Reverend Amity Carrubba
The Rev. Amity grew up in two countries (the United States and Germany) and five states before her family settled in Chicagoland while she was in high school. Trained as a scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she worked in pharmaceutical research before taking a leap of faith to serve in the church. Amity went on to study theology at Episcopal Divinity School and was ordained in 2006. She has served three other Chicago-area churches and directed the Episcopal Service Corps, a network of year-long young adult service programs before starting at Grace in August 2016. In her spare time, she likes to read mysteries and work on her chess game. Amity and her spouse keep busy caring for an old dog, a puppy, and an expanding native flower garden.
The Reverend Deacon Andrea Billhardt
Deacon Andrea found her way to Grace Church more than 10 years ago in need of community and a spiritual tune-up. She rediscovered the strong faith she had as a young child and decided to give seminary a try. She graduated from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2013 and was ordained a deacon in December 2021. The Episcopal Church has challenged and strengthened her and reaffirmed her commitment to issues of social justice and radical hospitality for all God’s people. She is the mother of 3 and has one grandchild.
Minister of Music, Marilyn Haverly
Marilyn began attending church as an infant and cherishes her years of spiritual growth. With a BA in Music Education, she has served as a church choir accompanist, piano teacher, and performer at weddings and other special events, including at long-term care facilities. In her career as a high school choir accompanist, she toured in Europe and performed at Carnegie Hall. She has two daughters and one granddaughter.
Our Grace Vestry
The Vestry stewards the church’s mission and ministry in the Episcopal tradition. Vestry members are elected by the congregation to represent them in temporal matters. They work closely with the rector to guide and support the parish’s work, striving to make wise and prayerful decisions.
Class of 2027
- Kevin Malone
- Tim Paprocki (Co-Warden)
Class of 2028
- Kim Callis
- Nolan Cooper (Treasurer)
- Mary Beth Weigel
Class of 202
- Yocelin Guzman
- Emma Koch
- Ted Otto (Co-Warden)
Our Mission
As change agents for Christ, the members of Grace (Gracers!) developed a three-part mission to guide our decisions and activities.
Alive in Community
We value those who are already in our church family as dearly as those who are exploring and inspired to learn more about their relationship with God. To expand and celebrate as many voices and perspectives as possible during our Sunday service, we have an active lay preaching ministry. We also have a Liturgy Committee that settles for nothing less than a worship experience that is affirming, uplifting and inclusive to all.
Alive in Christ
Healthy relationships are not static, and that includes our relationship with God. We are living and growing as Christians in a complicated world. That’s why we offer adult formation programs designed to inspire connections between the Gospel and our everyday lives. From series of small-group classes to interfaith book discussions to after-church trips to the Art Institute to view and learn about inspiring works, with and often without Christian connections, we lean into learning together.
Alive in the World
The Bible says that faith without works means nothing, and that’s why Gracers take our service seriously. Every Saturday, you’ll find us co-hosting Hope’s Table, a breakfast for hungry neighbors, and twice a year, we create “GraceCares Packs” to share with the unhoused. These compact re-usable pouches are filled with socks, small toiletry items and 8 quarters for laundry or CTA fare. We also nurture a relationship to the Chicago South Loop Campus Ministry, which aims to reach the hearts, minds and souls of the burgeoning college population living in our community.
Our Values
Our Values
We believe in God who is within, around and beyond us. We claim God’s power to transform and sustain us as agents of justice and peace in the world.
We are committed to everyone’s spiritual journeys. This includes church members and our clergy. We support each other. We are committed to leadership in worship and participating in the life of the church. We believe in the transformation of individuals and community through spiritual discipline and action.
We welcome and affirm an inclusive and diverse community. We celebrate the gifts of individuals regardless of race, background, sexual orientation, gender expression, finances, or lack of them. We seek to be inclusive in our worship language, attitudes, and actions.
Grace Episcopal Church
1851
Grace Episcopal Church is the third oldest parish in Chicago. It was established in 1851 by parishioners of Trinity Church.
Always a South Loop resident, located on Dearborn and Madison Streets, 8th Street and Wabash Avenue, Wabash Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets, 1450 S. Indiana Avenue, and 33 W. Jackson.
1859- 1915
The first Grace Church was lovingly described as “a little wooden box.” East 8th Street and Wabash was our second location. The third welcomed the “Golden Era” of Grace (1859- 1915)—a period of social, theological, and civic excellence until a fire destroyed the building.
1929
The fourth Grace Church (1929) was dedicated to the benefit of St. Luke’s Hospital. Many of Chicago’s Loop businessmen and women were involved in both Grace Church and the work of the hospital.
1966
In 1966 the fifth Grace Church was located in the Loop, renewing its historical dedication to the Chicago’s business community, and beginning an era of ministry to the Loop residents.
Today
Now in our current, Grace moved to Printers Row in 1989. Converted from a commercial building by the architectural firm Booth Hansen, our home is now an extraordinary, award-winning loft sanctuary on the second floor, with a large open hall on the street level.
