Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Rectory
Why it's listed
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral and its rectory sit on a small lot at the corner of N. Leavitt and W. Haddon in Chicago. Completed in 1903, the stucco-faced brick church follows a masonry type common in Russia in the late 19th century. Its plan runs from a tall square tower through a narthex and square nave to a low chancel. The tower ends in an open octagonal belfry and spire, and the nave carries an octagonal clerestory and roof. Both roofs are topped by bulbous domes with three-armed Orthodox crosses. Louis H. Sullivan designed the building and directed its construction, making it his only church and his only mature work derived from a historic building type. Czar Nicholas II contributed personally to the construction, and Bishop Tikhon consecrated the church in 1903. Inside are murals copied from the Cathedral of St. Vladimir in Kiev and an iconostas made in Russia and given in 1912. It is the oldest surviving Orthodox church in Chicago.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the only church both designed and built under Louis H. Sullivan's direction, and the only one of his mature works derived from a historic building type. It is linked to Russian figures including Czar Nicholas II and Bishop Tikhon, holds Russian ecclesiastical art, and is the oldest surviving Orthodox church in Chicago.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76000693, listed March 16, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1117--1127 N. Leavitt, Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | March 16, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000693 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903 |
| Architect / builder | Louis Sullivan (Louis H. Sullivan) |
| Architectural style | Eclectic |
| Areas of significance | European, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a church; the form lists its condition as good and altered, with only minor changes since construction. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Within district | Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.90197, -87.68193 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76000693.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2498222
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.