The Hands and Feet of God, Serving in Love
Grace Episcopal Church
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
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 the ministries of the laity and the clergy. We support each other on our lifelong spiritual journeys. We claim our vocations and commit ourselves to leadership in worship, participation in the life of the church, and individual and communal transformation 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.
Our Leaders
The Reverend Amity Carrubba
The Reverend Deacon Andrea Billhardt
Minister of Music, Marilyn Haverly
Our Staff
Sara Filipiak – Parish Administrator
Darrial Brown – Sexton
Christ-Guided Discernment
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 2025
- Wendy Manning (Co-Warden)
- Nolan Cooper (Treasurer)
- Emma Koch (Clerk)
Class of 2026
- Ted Otto (Co-Warden)
- Melissa Moore Gillespie
Class of 2027
- Tim Paprocki
- Kevin Malone
Our History
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Resources
Grace parishioners come from various religious backgrounds, including Episcopalian. You may also meet people raised Catholics, Baptist, Evangelical and from other Christian backgrounds.
Grace is a member of the Diocese of Chicago, which has three goals: Grow the church. Form the faithful. Change the world.
Sunday service is a participatory experience. Lectionary readers, the liturgical calendar and weekly readings are found here.
Vital Practices offers resources to enrich the lives of Episcopal faith communities.
We offer resources to help live into our Baptismal promise to strive for justice and peace and respect the dignity of every person.
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