“City of the Big Shoulders”

In his poem “Chicago” Carl Sandburg describes this place as the City of Big Shoulders, a city of energy and strength where Catholic Theological Union is set. A sprawling giant of a city, Chicago’s stunning skyline, tree-filled parks, and the sparkling blue of Lake Michigan are visible from CTU’s windows. The third largest city in the United States, Chicago was shaped by the dreams, values, and resiliency of the millions of immigrants who came to this frontier outpost and built it into the global city of today.

Chicago is also home to an impressive array of educational and cultural treasures— magnificent art museums and galleries, concert halls and theaters, professional sports teams, and arguably the finest architecture of any city in the United States. With some 500 parks, 52,000 acres of forest preserves, a lakefront of continuous parks and beaches, and boulevards lined with flowers and trees, Chicago is among the most beautiful cities in the world.

Known as a premier center for theological education Chicago is home to 12 theological schools and their libraries, several denominational headquarters, and countless religious organizations.

CTU is a founding member of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS), the consortium of theology schools which share a network of resources including library access, faculty interchange, symposiums and lectures, and some 750 courses, open to all ACTS students, which taught by 350 faculty. The collective library resources of the ACTS schools number 1.7 million books with over 5,000 periodicals. Through ACTS students and faculty can pursue their work, study, and reflection while interacting with people of many different cultural and theological traditions.

It is the perfect place for CTU to call home.