Origin:
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and six fellow students who responded to the needs of people living in poverty by putting their faith into action. Inspired by the example of St. Vincent de Paul and guided by Sister Rosalie Rendu, they began serving neighbors through personal visits. Today, the Society continues this mission of compassionate, person-to-person service in over 150 countries around the world.
The Society was originally established at Old St. Patrick's (Old St. Pat’s) on December 31, 1857 by Rev. Denis Dunne, making it the first of its kind in Chicago. Founded during the economic depression of that year, it responded to the growing needs of poor immigrant families. Parish volunteers provided person-to-person assistance through home visits, offering food, clothing, financial aid, and compassionate support to neighbors in need. And today, as was the case in 1857, the same needs exist for many. After a pause of several decades the Society was reestablished at Old St. Patrick's in 2025 and volunteers (Vincentians) are responding in faith and charity to those in need.
Mission: A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.
Objectives: The Old St. Pat’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference is committed to:
Recent accomplishments:
Near West Community Care Night:
Every 3rd Tuesday evening the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Old St. Pat’s Conference brings together Vincentians along with unhoused and needy neighbors from the West Loop and surrounding communities. It is an evening of restorative care, connection and support at the outdoor lot at the corner of Ada and Washington Streets in Chicago. Resources available on the evenings include food, hot showers, haircuts, shaves, hygiene items, basic health and dental screenings, mental health and social service referrals and gift cards that were provided by Old St. Pat’s members during the Annual Christmas Giving Tree, all in one convenient location.
Many thanks to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community partners who co-host the event, including: The Encompassing Center, First Baptist Congregational Church, Prism Health, Shower Up, UIC College of Dentistry, and volunteer barbers from North Lawndale’s Young Men’s Education Network (YMEN) and other organizations.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and six fellow students who responded to the needs of people living in poverty by putting their faith into action. Inspired by the example of St. Vincent de Paul and guided by Sister Rosalie Rendu, they began serving neighbors through personal visits. Today, the Society continues this mission of compassionate, person-to-person service in over 150 countries around the world.
The Society was originally established at Old St. Patrick's (Old St. Pat’s) on December 31, 1857 by Rev. Denis Dunne, making it the first of its kind in Chicago. Founded during the economic depression of that year, it responded to the growing needs of poor immigrant families. Parish volunteers provided person-to-person assistance through home visits, offering food, clothing, financial aid, and compassionate support to neighbors in need. And today, as was the case in 1857, the same needs exist for many. After a pause of several decades the Society was reestablished at Old St. Patrick's in 2025 and volunteers (Vincentians) are responding in faith and charity to those in need.
Mission: A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.
Objectives: The Old St. Pat’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference is committed to:
- Emergency assistance to Old St. Pat's members when resources are available.
- Emergency assistance to neighbors within Old St. Pat’s boundaries when resources are available.
- Assisting with the Annual Blood Drive and Christmas Giving Tree sponsored by Old St. Pat’s.
- Support for food insecurity and emergency assistance-related programming with North Lawndale Kinship Initiative partner organizations when resources are available.
- Home visits to Old St. Pat’s members and local community residents to assess need and offer rent, utilities and other assistance, and to make social service referrals to those experiencing hardship.
Recent accomplishments:
- Hosted a brunch with surrounding parishes to foster connection and synergy in serving the needy.
- Required Ozanam Training successfully completed by committed Old St. Pat’s Vincentians.
- Monthly service and hospitality at My Brother’s Kitchen in the North Lawndale community.
- Twice-monthly meetings at Old St. Pat’s and via Zoom for reflection, fellowship and planning.
- Monthly “Community Care Nights” in service to needy and unhoused West Loop neighbors.
- Responding to emergency needs requests via home visits and referrals conducted by Vincentians.
- Fresh produce deliveries weekly to elderly and shut-in residents of the North Lawndale community.
Near West Community Care Night:
Every 3rd Tuesday evening the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Old St. Pat’s Conference brings together Vincentians along with unhoused and needy neighbors from the West Loop and surrounding communities. It is an evening of restorative care, connection and support at the outdoor lot at the corner of Ada and Washington Streets in Chicago. Resources available on the evenings include food, hot showers, haircuts, shaves, hygiene items, basic health and dental screenings, mental health and social service referrals and gift cards that were provided by Old St. Pat’s members during the Annual Christmas Giving Tree, all in one convenient location.
Many thanks to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community partners who co-host the event, including: The Encompassing Center, First Baptist Congregational Church, Prism Health, Shower Up, UIC College of Dentistry, and volunteer barbers from North Lawndale’s Young Men’s Education Network (YMEN) and other organizations.
Be A Vincentian: Email the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Old St. Pat’s Conference at: [email protected] and come to an upcoming meeting. The meetings are Sundays in-person at Old St. Pat’s, once per month, 12 - 2pm, and Thursdays via Zoom, once per month, 6:30 - 7:30pm.
