20 Most Catholic Cities in the US

3. Chicago

The core of Chicago’s Catholic identity lies within its rich tapestry of ethnic diversity. With the industrialization of the Windy City in the mid-19th century, a wave of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe converged on Chicago, adding to the existing Irish and German populations, and thus bolstering its labor force. This influx of diverse communities naturally gave rise to distinct ethnic enclaves, which, in turn, led to the establishment of corresponding Catholic parishes. In the present day, the Archdiocese of Chicago ministers to approximately 2.2 million Catholics within the Northeastern Illinois region of Cook and Lake Counties, spanning an expansive geographic area covering 1,411 square miles.

Chicago serves as the central hub for the Catholic Press Association, and the Catholic Theological Union. In addition, it hosted the 28th International Eucharistic Congress in 1926. This groundbreaking event marked the first-ever assembly of its kind held within the United States, drawing esteemed figures including cardinals and archbishops from across the globe.

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