Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on hand for the ribbon-cutting at the opening of the New Life Covenant Church. It can seat 1,000 congregants in a 27,000-square foot space.
The church had been leasing the auditorium at Robert Clemente High School for the last ten years.
"Our city is stronger because this church with this congregation, with this pastor, has led the way, not just in this neighborhood, but throughout the city," Emanuel said.
Senior Pastor Wilfredo de Jesus, better known as Pastor Choco, leads the congregation and has seen his membership grow from 160 to more than 17,000.
