Part of Wicker Park church collapses, several cars damaged

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A church in the city's Wicker Parker neighborhood partially collapsed Monday morning, damaging several cars.

The church was vacant and located in the 1900-block of West Schiller Street.

No injuries were reported. At least five cars parked near the church were damaged by the debris and buried under the rubble.

The two-and-half-story Mission Cristiana Church building was in the process of being converted into a single-family home.

Permits had been requested, but not yet approved, according to the Chicago Buildings Department.

The Chicago Fire Department said the building was extremely unstable, which could mean another collapse. The city is working with the owner, who was on-site Monday, to ensure its safety.

Neighbors said they heard the rumble and collapse at about 6 a.m. Monday.

"Not something you're expecting to see when you wake up in the morning and walk out your front door the first thing you see it well, ok, I guess the church is gone now," said Bide Akande.

Tatiana Tien's Honda Civic was one of the cars damaged by the debris.

"I was on the ground crying. It was not a nice feeling to wake up to Monday morning, but there is nothing you can do about it now," she said.

Along with the church, a two-story vacant building which was a part of the church property was destroyed.