As the second Catholic Church built by African-Americans for African-Americans in Chicago (1959), Civil Rights is pivotal to St. Thaddeus Parish. African-Americans sought justice and equality in every aspect of their lives--including their faith. African-American Catholics were not welcome and “locked out” of the surrounding parishes and schools. St. Thaddeus was founded to serve the African American Community. The Archdiocese of Chicago required the founding members conduct an unprecedented FIVE surveys before granting permission for the church. It was pivotal to St. Thaddeus Parish’s mission that it served the African-American Community. We developed a parish that recognized the humanity of African-Americans, and our rights as Citizens of United States of America. We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday as a day of remembrance and rededication. St. Thaddeus members played “hidden” and visible roles in the Civil Rights Movement in Chicago. Members were active at all levels of the movement from organizers to marchers. On this MLK Holiday weekend (Sunday, 01.15.17), Parish Pastors distributed a letter stating that St. Thaddeus Church would be closed as per Decrees of Promulgation signed by Cardinal Cupich on 01.06.17. Parishioners have yet to receive the Decrees of Promulgation as required by Canon Law.