St. Paul & the Redeemer is a thriving Episcopal church located near the University of Chicago. Our vision is to become a community that mirrors the radical hospitality practiced by Jesus. Our mission is to "Welcome all seekers; Nurture one another in our journeys of faith; and Serve God's world."

Check out our Parish Profile (1.4 MB pdf).

We are progressive and rooted in tradition.

We are a worshipping community that loves to gather on Sunday to worship God, as we celebrate the mystery of Christ's faithful and liberating presence. Inspiring music from many traditions, from Gospel to Classical and enhanced by four choirs, lifts us heavenward. We use inclusive language at the 9:15 and 11:15 Eucharists, in which you will find both the beauty of traditional Episcopal liturgy and warm spontaneity. Preaching that is lively, thought provoking, and addresses real human concerns is highly valued by the congregation.

We are diverse.

Being one of the most racially diverse congregations in Chicago is something we value highly. We are a church of all ages, including members above 90 years old and many young adults and children. We have an excellent nursery and fine formation programs for children and youth. Gay men and lesbians participate in every aspect of our ministry, and we respond to same-sex couples who wish to solemnize their unions exactly as we respond to heterosexual couples. We are diverse in religious backgrounds. People from many traditions make up our community. In fact, clergy with affiliations in six Christian denominations are involved at SPR. Each year we add many new members who bring their gifts, energy, and perspectives. Attendance has tripled since 1998 to about 300 on a typical Sunday.

We are a community of fellowship.

Every Sunday, we gather around God's Table in Holy Communion; then we gather around brunch tables to share food and fellowship, around classroom tables to share ideas and wisdom, and around meeting tables to lead our community. Many social events mark our life every year, including the Fall Kickoff Ministries Fair, All Saints Sunday Pancake Breakfast, the Greening of the Church at Christmas, our Easter Brunch, our Pentecost Jazz Mass and Brunch, and our Parish Picnic to start off the summer.

We are a community of service.

SPR has a long history of partnership with agencies in our neighborhood, the city, and around the world: Every Monday, a group from all walks of life gather to share coffee and conversation, and those of them who are hungry leave with food to get them throught the week. Every month, we cook for the Open Kitchen Lunch Program, which feeds up to 200 homeless people every day. Every summer we offer the surrounding community an outstanding Vacation Bible Camp. At Christmas we partner with the Cathedral Shelter of Chicago for to provide gifts for homeless families. Our Fair Trade Team works to promote fair trade products.