Chicago Interreligious Communities Project
The Interreligious Communities Project (ICP) brings neighbors across traditions together to visit sacred spaces, share stories, and develop core leadership and peacemaking skills.
About Chicago ICP
The Chicago Interreligious Communities Project (ICP) was the inaugural city program of Sharing Sacred Spaces — a pioneering collaboration with the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (CPWR). Launched in October 2011, the project brought together eight congregations across downtown Chicago to visit one another’s sacred spaces, share their histories, and build authentic relationships across faith traditions.
Pioneered by architect and Sacred Space Ambassador Suzanne Morgan and Reverend Dirk Ficca, Executive Director of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, this groundbreaking program laid the foundation for the model that would later expand to cities across North America.
Throughout the 2011–2012 program year, participating communities opened their doors and hearts — hosting visits that inspired dialogue, curiosity, and lasting friendship. The program culminated in a citywide Solidarity Pledge celebration, where participants vowed to protect one another and uphold each other’s dignity in times of challenge.
Since then, members of the Chicago ICP network have continued to collaborate — addressing violence and justice issues in the city and demonstrating how faith communities can be a powerful force for peace, understanding, and collective action.
Coordinator: Suzanne Morgan, Dirk Ficca
Site Visits & Events
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Midwest Buddhist Temple — October 2, 2011
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Fourth Presbyterian Church — October 23, 2011
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St. James Episcopal Cathedral — November 6, 2011
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Chicago Sinai Congregation — January 29, 2012
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First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple — February 19, 2012
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Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist — March 18, 2012
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Old St. Patrick’s Church — April 22, 2012
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Downtown Islamic Center — May 12, 2012
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Solidarity Pledge Celebration — May 2012
Lasting Community
Sponsors & Partners
The Chicago ICP was made possible through the collaboration and generosity of:
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Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (CPWR)