St. John of Rila Church (Chicago)

The church building was originally built and housed a Lutheran congregation under the name of the Peace Lutheran Church. The building was put up for auction as Peace Lutheran consolidated its parish with a number of other Lutheran congregations on Chicago's Northwest Side. St. John of Rila is important for Bulgarians in Chicago because national churches in America, in addition to being places of worship, are social center devoted to maintaining the language, culture and tradition of the Bulgarian diaspora through Sunday schools and social gatherings. In October 2003, Princess Marie Louise of Bulgaria toured the church. ==Architecture==

Originally constructed in 1928, this beautiful brick and limestone church building has approximately above grade area, including a balcony, overlooking the main church floor which seats approximately 216 people. The parish house which is attached to the church building was completed in 1923 and served as the main place of worship until the church's completion in December 1928. ==References==