Chicago suburb home to a bible themed tourist attraction
Church steeples and water towers dominate the skyline in St. John, a town that's home to approximately 23,000 people on the outskirts of Chicago. The suburb has grown exponentially since its founding in the mid-19th century and residents enjoy the benefits of Lake County quietude. Here, creeks wind their way through brand new subdivisions, fishermen cast out lines at local parks and there are several sledding hills to choose from in the winter. Perhaps one of the best-known features in St. John is the Shrine of Christ's Passion, which is categorized as an "interactive prayer trail" and statue garden off Wicker Avenue. It's been a tourist destination since the early 2000s, attracting thousands of out-of-towners to the Hoosier State every year, especially on Good Friday. Lake Michigan beaches are just 20 miles north, and it's common for residents to commute into the Windy City for work, making their way back to St. John's quiet cul-de-sacs every night. "St. John is one of the better communities in Indiana, period. Especially Northwest Indiana," says David Cundiff of Haven Realty, characterizing it as a "friendly" and "close-knit" place. "It's a small town that's growing, and most everybody will probably know one another and raise their kids together," he says.
Saint John Evangelist is a beautiful church located in the heart of St. John.
The Shrine of Christ Passion can be found at the travel center in St. John.
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Post-2000s subdivisions and late 20th-century ranch-style houses
The vast majority of homes in St. John were built in the 2000s, although there are a few ranch-style houses dating back to the 1970s and '80s. Subdivisions like New Parish Woods and the Gates of St. John are still growing, and there are signs of construction along country roads, according to Cundiff. Homeowners' Association fees vary depending on the community, ranging from less than $30 a month to upwards of $200. In most subdivisions, front lawns are uniformly trimmed, trees are freshly planted and two-car garages are the standard. The median price for a single-family home in St. John is around $440,000, which is slightly higher than the national median. "It's a hot market," notes Cundiff, and, as is consistent with trends around the country, prices have been on a steady incline for the past few years.
Homes in St. John often have mature trees and generous yards for families to gather and play.
Beautiful single family homes with covered porches can be found throughout St. John.
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A high-rated public school system, private education and public library learning
St. John is especially coveted for its top-ranked public school system. Lake Central School Corporation earns an overall A grade from Niche and includes five elementary options, three middle schools and one high school, which is home to around 3,000 students. Since the mid-1990s, the Lake Central Education Foundation has received support from the community to fund new gym equipment, reading materials and scholarships for high school seniors. Some families opt for private schools like St. John the Evangelist School and Illiana Christian High School. There are more learning opportunities — everything from tech classes to book discussion groups — at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library.
Kolling Elementary is in the heart of St. John and a top rated school in Lake County.
Lake Central High School is the 3rd best high school in Lake County.
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Wicker Avenue retail, go-karting at Zig-E's Funland and The Shrine of Christ's Passion
Shopping, dining and entertainment in St. John are all concentrated along Wicker Avenue, also known as Highway 41. There's a mix of casual pancake houses and taco joints, drive-thru chain restaurants and big-box retailers like Target. Zig-E's Funland, an amusement center home to go-karting tracks, an arcade, a mini golf course and more, is also found along the thoroughfare, as is The Shrine of Christ's Passion. The Shrine features 40 bronze sculptures depicting scenes from the bible displayed amidst walking trails. Admission is free, and the attraction is open to visitors year-round. "It's like a walk-through of Christ's life," explains Cundiff. "They also added another attraction based on the 10 Commandments. It gets heavy traffic," he says. Every year in September, the parking lot outside St. John the Evangelist Parish hosts Oktoberfest, a weekend complete with German and Bavarian food stands, live bands and even pumpkin decorating for kids.
Residents of St. John enjoy having brunch at AVGO.
Residents love shopping at Stack and Van Til for its wide variety.
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Summer concert series, movie nights and more in public parks
More than 20 public parks are spaced out between St. John's subdivisions. They vary in size but generally feature playgrounds, picnic tables and athletic facilities. Lake Hills Park, which also hosts a free Summer Concert Series, has a fishing pier and there are family movie nights in Prairie West Park on select Fridays between June and October. The St. John Lions Club hosts Freedom Fest in Heartland Park every July. There are dozens of food vendors, outdoor games — including a hula hoop contest — and a live music line-up. Some even break out their sweaters for the fireworks show; in St. John, temperatures typically stay beneath 85 degrees during the summer days and can drop into the low 60s at night.
Beautiful ponds with a fountain can be found at Prairie West Park in St. John.
Play a round of basketball at Civic Memorial Park in St. John.
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Lake County employers and commutes into Chicago
Lake County's largest employers include Franciscan Health Hospital in Dyer, which is about 5 miles from St. John, and Community Hospital, another medical facility in nearby Munster. Lake Michigan beaches are just over 20 miles — or around 40 minutes — away in Gary, Indiana, and traffic picks up along U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 65 during the summer months. Chicago is less than 40 miles from St. John along Interstate 94, and it's common for residents to commute to work. Public transportation is limited. For cross-country and worldwide travel, there's Chicago O'Hare International Airport, just under 60 miles away via Interstate 294. Crime in St. John is limited; there were 50 reported incidents in 2023, which represent both property and violent crimes. According to FBI data, there's been a significant decrease over the past 5 years.
Written By
Sara Caskey
Photography Contributed By
Jace Hirosky
Video By
Alex Finneran
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alejandrina Perez de Davila,
an experienced agent in this area.
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