2024 Lenten Appeal

St. Martin's-Partners in Hope

Located in Chicago’s historic Austin neighborhood, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1878. One of the last Episcopal churches remaining on the west side of the city, St. Martin’s plays a vital role in responding to the needs of their immediate neighborhood as well as the broader context of Chicago’s West Side. St. Martin’s describe themselves as” a small congregation with a huge heart for all of God’s people.”

St. Martin’s is also a small congregation with an astonishing impact. They offer annual scholarships to high school students from the community and support migrant ministries in collaboration with nearby Grace, Oak Park, St. Michael’s, Berwyn and the Diocese of Chicago’s Sanctuary Task Force. They have engaged their neighbor, Nash Elementary School, in collaboration with BUILD, forming Peace Circles with middle schoolers to help curtail violence. St. Martin’s is teaming up with Episcopal agencies St. Leonard’s House and Grace House to revitalize their relationship in supporting ex-offenders and returning citizens. In 2024, St. Martin’s will expand their direct impact by initiating a feeding program that will provide welcome and sustenance for their neighbors experiencing homelessness. They will also serve as a new satellite site for the Cathedral’s Summer in the City program, an enrichment camp for middle schoolers from across Chicago.

The Rev. Canon Christopher Griffin, the Cathedral’s Canon for Community Partnerships, serves also as Vicar (priest in charge) at St. Martin’s, and has become a relational anchor leading the two communities into deeper partnership, collaborative outreach, and social justice ministries. The Cathedral’s partnership with St. Martin’s opens for St. James a pathway into direct service with some of those in our city whose need is the greatest. Our 2024 Lenten Appeal will support direct outreach and our growing partnership with St. Martin’s. Please give generously to strengthen these ministries and offer a sign of solidarity and a sense of hope in challenging times!