The Church of the Holy Family is one of Chicago’s most historic ceremony venues: a Jesuit parish founded in 1857 on the Near West Side, and one of the only buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its soaring Victorian Gothic interior, carved woodwork, and stained glass have witnessed Chicago weddings for over 165 years.
Getting Married at the Church of the Holy Family
As a Roman Catholic parish, Holy Family follows standard Catholic marriage requirements: baptismal and confirmation documents, freedom to marry in the Church, and Pre-Cana preparation. Popular dates book well in advance, so contact the parish office early.
Pairing Holy Family with a Reception Venue
Holy Family is a ceremony church, and its Near West Side location puts downtown receptions minutes away. We have filmed Holy Family ceremonies paired with Germania Place, the Union League Club, the Old Post Office, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The films on this page show how each combination flows.
Good to Know Before Booking Holy Family
- There is no air conditioning. The historic building stays cool in spring and fall, but for July and August weddings plan a morning or early afternoon ceremony, provide fans for guests, and expect a warm room. On film it never shows; in person, dress accordingly.
- The history is real: the parish was founded in 1857 by Jesuit Father Arnold Damen, the priest Damen Avenue is named after, and the church famously survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 while the city burned around it.
- Book early: as one of Chicago’s most storied churches, popular Saturday dates go quickly, and Catholic marriage preparation takes months.
Filming Weddings at Holy Family
Historic churches are where wedding films earn their emotion, and Holy Family gives us more to work with than almost any church in Chicago: the long center aisle for processionals, morning light through the stained glass, and an interior whose scale reads beautifully on camera. Knowing that these walls survived the Great Fire adds a weight to every ceremony we film here. We know the parish’s photography guidelines and position our cameras invisibly during the liturgy.
Church of the Holy Family Wedding FAQ
How old is the Church of the Holy Family?
Founded in 1857, it is one of Chicago’s oldest churches and one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Does the Church of the Holy Family have air conditioning?
No. The historic church is not air conditioned, so summer couples should consider earlier ceremony times and warn guests to dress for the season. Spring and fall ceremonies are very comfortable.
Do we need to be Catholic to marry at Holy Family?
The parish follows Catholic marriage requirements; speak with the parish office about your specific situation.
Where do couples hold receptions after a Holy Family ceremony?
Downtown venues are minutes away; our couples have celebrated at the Union League Club, Old Post Office, Germania Place, and the Art Institute.
Getting married at the Church of the Holy Family? We know its light and its history. Check your date →