St. Mary of the Assumption in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood is at risk of foreclosure, reflecting the broader challenges facing aging churches. Once a vibrant community hub, the church has not held a Mass since 2011 and is now deteriorating. The newly appointed Pope Leo attended St. Mary's as a child, drawing renewed interest in the site. Ownership has changed hands, but current owner Joe Hall faces legal troubles with a lender over missed payments. Hall originally planned to repurpose the building for social services and workforce education, highlighting the need for revitalization in this impoverished area.
"We originally bought it [for our] workforce education program," Hall told The Chicago Sun Times last week. "I teach solar energy. I teach telecommunications, and I have a DJ apprenticeship program."
The last Mass held at St. Mary of the Assumption was in the summer of 2011. It now lies vacant and its furniture gone, with a hole in the roof that can be seen from the street."
Several new images of the church's interior show graffiti scrawled behind the altar.â
The archdiocese sold the church to a real estate company that auctioned it off in 2020 to Chicago DJ/businessman, Joe Hall - who is now accused by mortgage lender F Street Investments of defaulting on repayments.
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