Sunday Busy in Chicago

Sorry this is late. I did not finish it in the morning and completed it in Grand Rapids on Monday night.

We were supposed to be on the Great Lakes, doing boat tours and visiting waterfalls, but instead we explored Chicago. We did have our masks on a few times as the air quality still slipped over 100 a few times, but the sun was out, and it was a typical hot and humid July here on the coast of Lake Michigan.

We rose not that early, even late for us, and met Jeanne at the usual industrial breakfast, but the coffee was a bit better (and in a urn), and I had even a bagel. We were not in a hurry, and Deborah and I walked about 1/3 of a mile to get some popcorn in tins. On the walk back, we found First United Methodist Church built into the Chicago Temple Building. There is a sky chapel, and it looks lovely. I attended the worship service, which was familiar and classic East Coast Methodist, with a lot of standing and responses. The organ, I learned, was a loaner, as their pipe organ was being replaced for many millions of dollars.

My tour was immediately after service; the earlier service (yes, they have two services) served communion, and Jerry covered the history of the church, the building, and the Methodists. The church was a log-cabin-style building that was rolled and floated from a mile away to its current location. This was lost in the famous fire. The church built in its place was demolished in 1922 to make way for the skyscraper, once the tallest building in the city (with a church spire on top and a chapel), with the Walgreens family (yes, the same ones with drug stores everywhere) paying for much of the work.

To reach the sky chapel, we (about five of us) took a brass-and-wood-lined elevator that matched the first-floor sanctuary (which was dark wood and new stained glass). Next, we climbed four steps to reach a small, personal, no-more-than-three-person elevator for the pastor (the parsonage was the next three floors) and to reach the sky chapel. This was followed by thirty more steps to the top of the building (and to the base of the spire, where the clarion, which plays for the city from morning to early evening, is housed).

It is a stained-window-lined chapel with cross beams covered in wood. The stained glass, art deco style but religious subjects, was bright, with one window opened to show how high we were, 26 stories (1/4 of the height of the Sears Tower). Benches instead of pews and not water, bathrooms, or anything. Just a room in what was, in 1924, the tallest building in Chicago. A sign warned that no more than 40 people were allowed by law, and any more would be extremely dangerous (the tiny elevator could be avoided by four stories of stairs).

It was a fun visit, and I walked back to the hotel. Linda and I talked about Mom Wild’s fall. Mom was OK, but not feeling well. I returned to Deborah. We then walked the three blocks to the Chicago Institute of Art. We got tickets and then found Chagall Windows on the way to their excellent cafe. This was the best food we had in Chicago; I was not surprised, as I always eat here and found it excellent. It ain’t cheap, but at least the extra is going to the museum.

We found the Impressionists and soon found ourselves immersed in room after room of paintings and other art. It is always a mix of relaxing, taking it in, and excitement about what is in the next room. We were looking for the art from the old board game Masterpiece this time.

The American paintings Night Hawks and American Gothic are in another building, and we had to go down, over, and back up to reach them. We misread the plans at the museum, and the Lee Miller show is next month. I recommend her story and photos (here), but instead found the miniature room collection. These were made to recreate various room settings from different periods, not as toys. I was fascinated by the model work and lighting, which are excellent. Some rooms have attached rooms that you can see if you lean one way. You can make out the extra furnishing. Always excellent.

I picked up pencils and some postcards as the museum closed at 5. Across Michigan Avenue is a Starbucks, and there we had a few drinks (iced coffees and water), and I finally ordered an Uber for too much money to take us to Navy Pier, which was a madhouse. We ended up at Harry Caray’s, which was a tourist joint, but it was available. We next took the Architectural boat tour on the Chicago River. It is about 70 minutes, and it is great to have the sun setting halfway through the tour, seeing all the buildings light up. Our tour guide, a younger guy, pointed out many buildings (some I remembered from the previous tour) and a few new items.