Church of St. Procopius is a Catholic parish church located in the city of Chicago, Illinois. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city, established in the year 1855. The church is dedicated to Saint Procopius, whom the parish is named for. The church building is located in the Pilsen neighborhood near the Loop, and is a landmark of the city's Hispanic community. The church has served as a spiritual center for the city's Roman Catholics since its founding. History The parish was founded in 1855 as an immigrant church serving immigrants from Bohemia, a nation that is now part of the Czech Republic. When the parish was founded Bohemian immigrants led by Fr. Edward Vincent Baranowski founded the church on the south side of Chicago. St. Procopius was the first Bohemian church in the city, and it provided a spiritual center for the fledgling Czech-American community. The parish has had a series of pastors since its founding. In its early years, the parish served a largely Bohemian population. However, in 1949, the parish began to serve the increasing Hispanic population of Chicago, many of whom were Mexican Catholics. The parish began to offer Mass in Spanish, and has served a large Hispanic congregation ever since. Facts • The Church of St. Procopius was founded in 1855 and is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in the city of Chicago. • The church was founded by Bohemian immigrants, but over time transitioned to serving Chicago’s Hispanic community due to demographic changes in the city. • The church was built in a Gothic revival style, and contains a unique architectural feature known as a ‘flying buttress’. • The church and its grounds were added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Services The Church of St. Procopius provides various services to its congregation, including Mass in both Spanish and English. The church also provides social services and outreach initiatives to the members of its community. In addition, the parish offers baptisms, marriage ceremonies, funeral services, as well as spiritual retreats and spiritual direction. The church also has a number of organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Cub Scouts.