Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Church, Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room Endangered

Preservation Chicago adds historic church and Art Institute space to 2026 endangered list

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Preservation Chicago has included the former St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church and School in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood, as well as the historic Chicago Stock Exchange trading room at the Art Institute of Chicago, on its 2026 list of the city's 7 Most Endangered sites. The church has ties to Pope Leo XIV's childhood, while the trading room was infamously demolished in the 1970s and later reconstructed at the museum.

Why it matters

The St. Mary of the Assumption parish could become an important pilgrimage site given its connection to the first American Pope, potentially benefiting the disinvested Far South Side. The Chicago Stock Exchange trading room is a unique architectural and cultural treasure that faces an uncertain future amid the Art Institute's expansion plans.

The details

St. Mary of the Assumption parish dates back to 1886 and includes seven buildings from between 1917 and 1957. The church and school were left vacant after the parish was combined with another in 2011. The Chicago Stock Exchange Building, designed by architect Louis Sullivan, was demolished in 1971-72 despite protests, though its iconic trading room was salvaged and reconstructed at the Art Institute.

  • St. Mary of the Assumption parish was combined with Queen of Apostles Parish in suburban Riverdale in 2011.
  • The Chicago Stock Exchange Building was demolished in 1971 and 1972.

The players

St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church and School

A historic church and school campus in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood that was once the childhood parish of Pope Leo XIV.

Chicago Stock Exchange Building

A landmark building designed by architect Louis Sullivan that was demolished in the 1970s, though its iconic trading room was salvaged and reconstructed at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Art Institute of Chicago

The renowned art museum that houses the reconstructed Chicago Stock Exchange trading room, which Preservation Chicago says is now threatened by expansion plans.

Preservation Chicago

A nonprofit organization that advocates for the preservation of historic buildings and sites in Chicago, and has included the St. Mary of the Assumption parish and the Art Institute's trading room on its 2026 list of the city's 7 Most Endangered sites.

Pope Leo XIV

The first American Pope, who grew up in the Riverdale neighborhood and attended St. Mary of the Assumption as a child.

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What’s next

Preservation Chicago has suggested that the St. Mary of the Assumption parish campus be considered for Chicago Landmark Designation, which could help secure funding for restoration. The organization is also calling for the Art Institute to share its full plans for the trading room and McKinlock Court with the public.

The takeaway

The endangered status of these historic Chicago sites highlights the ongoing challenges of preserving the city's architectural and cultural heritage, particularly in the face of development pressures and changing demographics. Protecting these landmarks could have significant benefits for the local community and the city as a whole.