Holy Ground peels back layers of the windy city’s rich history we, as Chicago natives, were previously unexposed to. Michael Jolls’ documentary (now streaming on YouTube) chronicles Chicago’s history from the early 1800s to 1960s through a Catholic lens and, in doing so, may appeal primarily to history buffs, Chicago locals, and religiously inclined viewers. If you can be characterized as one or more of these three things, then Holy Ground may serve as an informative and compelling watch.
Throughout the documentary, Jolls uses renowned historians and a somewhat dull narration to detail the deep roots Catholicism has in the city of Chicago. The film begins in the 1600s with a depiction of early French settlers before exploring how the city’s Catholic roots tie into the city’s rich indigenous history. In presenting the historical backdrop for the origins of Catholicism in Chicago, the film explains how interracial marriages and French colonialism were driving forces behind the spread of a religion that has since become a fixture of the city.
The film pivots away from its early focus on the intersection of French colonizers and indigenous people and toward the 1800s, during which the city’s first parish – Old St. Mary’s – was created. From there on, the documentary does well to convey the extent to which Chicago is steeped in Catholic history, down to the infrastructure and neighborhoods that make the city so iconic.
Those who live in the suburbs of Chicago will find the history of their neck of the woods is explored as well. The documentary depicts how the city parishes gave rise to parishes in the north suburbs and the northwest side of the city. All of this development occurred in the context of world wars, a great depression, a baby boom, the creation of an interstate highway system, and more. While Holy Ground isn’t as interested in exploring this context as it could, it nonetheless touches on the various global and local events that influenced the city’s history.
From a filmmaking standpoint, Holy Ground impresses with its editing and use of archival footage to tell its story. The various historians who Jolls recruits to depict the city’s history are well-informed and well-spoken, making the wealth of information easy to digest. And the documentary uses music, including that of The St. Mary of the Woods School Children’s Choir, in a way that enhances both the history and emotion of the story.
Holy Ground may have more limited appeal to those not affiliated with Chicago or Catholicism, but those with even a cursory interest in either of these topics will find Michael Jolls’ documentary to be as compelling as it is thought-provoking.
