St. Thomas More Mission
"At St. Thomas More Mission, we are called by Jesus Christ to make disciples through evangelization, build communities through leadership development, and inspire witnesses through social engagement."
About
The Mission Today
A Mission for Growth, Pride and Connection
In May 2021, due to factors such as declining attendance, financial challenges, and changing demographics, the Archdiocese of Chicago restructured the parish.
St. Thomas More Parish was extinguished and re-established as a territorial mission, in partnership with the newly-formed St. Bede-St. Denis Parish as part of Renew My Church.
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This reorganization aimed to renew the Church's commitment to serving the local community's changed demographics.
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Now, in 2025, St. Thomas More Mission serves as a dedicated Spiritual Resource Center with a focused commitment to uplifting individuals of the African American and African diaspora within the Wrightwood/Ashburn community. With roots in intentional outreach and evangelization, the Mission strives to cultivate spiritual growth, affirm cultural identity, and foster meaningful, full-centered connections.
Our mission is to provide a nurturing environment where faith is strengthened, diverse identities are honored, and each person is empowered to embrace and live out their divine calling.
Our History
A Church for All Seasons
The St. Thomas More Parish was established in 1947 on Chicago's Southwest side, in the Wrightwood/Ashburn neighborhood. It was the first new parish founded in the city after Worl War II, predating much of the surrounding development.
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Initially, services were held in a temporary 300-seat building at Talman Avenue and 81st Street. As the far South side of Chicago experienced a post-war housing boom, the parish expanded rapidly.
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The permanent site was secured on California Avenue and 81st Street, where a series of buildings were constructed - the school, convent, main church, and rectory.
The St. Thomas More School
An Institution for the Growing Youth Community
The parochial school saw significant growth, with enrollment jumping from 250 to 450 students in a single year.
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In 1950, a second story was added to the school building, increasing its capacity to 800 students.
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Despite these expansions, the school eventually faced declining enrollment, leading to its closure in 2005.
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Today, the school houses CICS Wrightwood Elementary School, a Civitas Charter network school. St. Thomas More ensures that education remains a core part of the site's overall mission in partnership with the Wrightwood administration.
Interesting Facts
