Demolished West Town Church Yields Relics for Neighbors
Residents collect stained glass and crosses from the site as construction begins on six new neighborhood homes.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Home Renovation
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MK Construction has completed the demolition of the Santa Maria Addolorata Church in West Town to clear the way for six new homes. During the process, the developer salvaged religious items and stained glass, making them available for local residents to collect.
Why it matters
The removal of the 60-year-old structure marks a significant change for the West Town neighborhood as the site transitions to residential use. Residents requested pieces of the church to maintain a physical connection to the building and the local history it represented.
The project replaces a structure that stood at the intersection of Ohio and Ada for 60 years with six new homes. The developer confirmed the site was cleared following a salvage process that allowed neighbors to reclaim items like crosses and stained glass.
The players
MK Construction
The developer managing the residential conversion and demolition of the parish site.
The details
Construction crews carefully removed religious relics and stained-glass windows from the church before finalizing the demolition. These salvaged pieces were then placed along the construction site fence for neighborhood residents to retrieve. This effort was organized following requests from the community that began in August 2026 to preserve artifacts from the local landmark.
Timeline
1960: The Santa Maria Addolorata Church was established at Ohio and Ada.
August 2026: Local residents began requesting pieces of the building.
Week of October 18, 2026: Salvaged relics were distributed to neighbors.
The Home Front
The demolition and subsequent residential development follows a pattern of repurposing long-standing neighborhood institutional sites for new housing. This shift is part of the ongoing infill development trend currently shaping residential inventory in Chicago's West Town area.
Residents in West Town should monitor the construction site at Ohio and Ada for updates regarding the upcoming residential builds. Consider checking local community boards if you are interested in the transition of neighborhood landmarks into modern housing.
The takeaway
Preserving architectural artifacts can provide a lasting link to a neighborhood's history even as land use evolves. If you live near a major development site, contact the lead developer early to inquire about the potential salvage of historic materials.
Further reading
For more on evolving neighborhood residential projects, visit the Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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