Chicago Academy of Music in talks to save, renovate St. Adalbert church

Te awe-inspiring architecture that for more than a century has housed worshippers at St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church could eventually host young musical prodigies from around the world.

The Chicago Archdiocese is in preliminary discussions with the Chicago Academy of Music about purchasing the property and converting the church's adjacent convent into dormitories for students, its rectory into housing for master musicians and its Italian marble sanctuary into a concert stage.

Yet parishioners, who have been protesting the church's closing for months, plan to file appeals to the Vatican on Friday to keep their Pilsen parish open or, at the very least, hallowed. Their appeals fall on the same day two decrees by Archbishop Blase Cupich go into effect: The first assigns St. Adalbert's parishioners and assets to nearby St. Paul's Catholic Church. The second reduces St. Adalbert to a state that permits activities besides worship, paving the way for a prospective purchase and renovation of the decaying church and crumbling towers.

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