SOLD: St. Jude's Catholic Church Finds New Buyer, Plans Revealed

JOLIET ? Joliet's Victory City Church at 1741 Essington Road, previously known as the First Assembly of God, is expanding into other parts of the city. On Sunday, the congregation learned that Victory City Church is purchasing the St. Jude's Catholic Church campus that the Diocese of Joliet closed last summer.

In September, Joliet Patch reported that just months after the Diocese of Joliet closed down St. Jude's Catholic Church and the school building at 2200 McDonough St., one of Joliet's longest-serving real estate companies, Karges Realty, was retained to help sell the former Catholic Church campus. The asking price for the Diocese of Joliet property was $1.75 million. The property includes more than seven acres and was built in 1955.

Moving forward, the church and school property on McDonough Street will become known as "Victory City South," pastor Rusty Railey explained.

Victory City Church will expand, rather than relocate its congregation, Railey told Joliet Patch. The Victory City pastor said that all the buildings on the St. Jude's property will remain, nothing is being demolished.

Victory City Church moved to Essington Road in 1983. The church was established in 1938. On a typical Sunday, 2,000 people attend the congregation. Victory City offers services in both English and in Spanish for its congregation.

"We have totally outgrown our facilities. We feel called here, and we want to be a blessing for the community," Railey said.

The former St. Jude's Grade School will be used by Victory City Church for its children's ministry and preschool programs. Eventually, Victory City Church hopes to offer a full grade school program all the way through eighth grade, and perhaps K-12 someday.

Victory City Church plans to have contractors working on the McDonough Street property during the month of February. The church wants to have its expanded preschool program available at the former St. Jude campus this coming fall.

According to its website, "Victory City Church is a diverse, multi-generational church with a passion to impact this region with the life-changing truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to do this through relevant ministry and Spirit-led vision."

"We're just so grateful to be in that part in town. Our mission is to help people grow in faith, that is the victory," Pastor Railey said.

The St. Jude's chapel that can seat 400 to 500 people will also undergo renovation.

"We'll hold services Saturday and Sunday, and we'll hold events all throughout the week there," Railey said of the St. Jude property, which includes approximately 20 classrooms.

The gymnasium at the former St. Jude's will be used for community events and serve as an activity center.

"We're not going to tear anything down," Pastor Railey explained. "We're in it for the community. Our goal is to be a blessing for our community. We felt like this was a really, really, good move for us ... we feel called to be here."