The childhood church of Pope Leo XIV in Chicago is on the brink of foreclosure, igniting urgent calls for preservation and community revival.
At a Glance
- St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Chicago, linked to Pope Leo XIV, faces foreclosure
- The church has been vacant since 2011 and is suffering from severe structural damage
- Entrepreneur Joe Hall’s renovation plans are threatened by mounting debt
- Estimated $800,000–$900,000 needed to restore the building
- Community efforts intensify to preserve its historical and cultural legacy
Decay of a Sacred Landmark
A once-thriving spiritual hub, St. Mary of the Assumption Church now stands as a decaying relic in Chicago’s Riverdale neighborhood. Vacant since 2011, the church suffers from water damage, a collapsed roof, and vandalism. The deterioration of this iconic site—where Pope Leo XIV worshipped as a child—has become symbolic of broader issues facing neglected historical landmarks across America.
Watch a report: Inside the Ruins of Pope Leo XIV’s Childhood Church.
Joe Hall, who acquired the property in 2020 with the hope of transforming it into a workforce education and social services center through his nonprofit JBlendz Enterprises, is now facing a foreclosure battle. Hall has defaulted on mortgage payments, placing his ambitious community revitalization project at risk.
Financial and Cultural Crossroads
Despite the bleak condition, parts of the church—such as its stained-glass windows—remain intact, reminding many of its former beauty and significance. The estimated renovation cost of nearly $1 million presents a daunting hurdle. Still, local leaders, historians, and churchgoers argue the structure is too valuable to lose.
“There’s a cultural and spiritual weight tied to this place,” one local historian remarked. Cardinal Francis George once warned that the church was “in such a state of poor repair that it is not safe to use,” emphasizing the urgency of restoration.
Community discussions have reignited with renewed focus since Pope Leo XIV’s rise to prominence, injecting momentum into grassroots preservation efforts. Hall remains hopeful that partnerships with religious and civic organizations can secure the future of the site. “We originally bought it for our workforce education program,” Hall stated, emphasizing the project’s long-term public benefit.
Saving History or Letting It Crumble?
As the foreclosure clock ticks, residents are calling for intervention—from philanthropists, the Archdiocese, or even local government—before the site’s legacy is lost. The church represents not just bricks and mortar, but generations of memories, milestones, and faith.
Without decisive action, the collapse of St. Mary of the Assumption may become yet another cautionary tale of how America fails to preserve the places that shape its spiritual and cultural identity. The question now: who will step forward to save it?
