Thousands of people pass the Chicago Temple Building every day without realizing there’s a small chapel tucked beneath its soaring steeple. Roughly 400 feet above Washington and Clark streets, the Sky Chapel seats about 30 people—and features an altar looking out over the Chicago skyline.
Described as the world’s highest worship space, it belongs to First United Methodist Church of Chicago, whose home at 77 W. Washington St. sits across from the Daley Center and Chicago’s iconic Picasso sculpture. While the street-level sanctuary welcomes visitors, you’ll need to schedule a guided tour to reach the sky-high chapel.
The church that built a skyscraper
The Chicago Temple Building dates to 1924, but its congregation is older than the city itself. Founded in 1831—six years before Chicago was incorporated—it’s known as the “Mother Church of Chicago Methodism.”
The tower held the title of Chicago’s tallest building until 1930.
Its 23 floors combine worship spaces with offices: the main sanctuary occupies the street level, the Dixon Chapel sits on the second floor, and offices fill floors 5 through 21. Above them, the Sky Chapel is tucked beneath a steeple crowned by an illuminated cross.
Before heading upstairs, stop inside the main sanctuary to see backlit stained glass depicting biblical scenes alongside moments from Chicago’s history.
Inside the Sky Chapel
The Sky Chapel features 16 stained-glass windows and structural beams shaped like St. Andrew’s crosses, turning part of the building’s frame into a decorative feature. The Walgreen family donated the chapel in memory of Walgreens founder Charles R. Walgreen, dedicating it on Easter morning in 1952, nearly three decades after the tower opened.
How to visit the Sky Chapel
Reaching the Sky Chapel involves two elevators and stairs. The church advises that the tour is not ADA accessible and includes several sets of stairs.
Tours last approximately one hour and are offered after Wednesday and Sunday worship services, as well as at 2 p.m. on non-service days. There are no tours on Mondays. Meet at the welcome desk outside the sanctuary after worship or five to ten minutes before the scheduled tour.
The ground-floor sanctuary normally welcomes visitors Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. However, it will be closed to visitors October 26–December 10, 2026, for organ installation.
Contact the church before traveling to confirm whether Sky Chapel tours will operate during that closure.
Admission is free, with donations appreciated.
