St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church

St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Parish has been a fixture in Hyde Park since 1869. The present-day church was constructed in 1924 in the Art Deco style. Designed by Francis Barry Byrne, an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright, its plan reflects a break with traditional Catholic church architecture. Rather than using the established cruciform floor plan, Byrne created a wide, open, column-free space considered to be the first modern Catholic Church. He also incorporated the modern sculpture by Alfonso Ianelli seen on the exterior terra cotta ornamentation. Alfeo Faggi designed the bronze reliefs and Piet that are displayed around the perimeter walls of the nave, representing the Stations of the Cross.

Francis Barry Byrne