History
Erie Neighborhood House opened in 1870 in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. As the city and community changed over a century and a half, so did we; from a church serving our neighbors to a settlement house delivering wraparound services to immigrants and individuals from all backgrounds to help them thrive and build proud, powerful communities across the city. A home with no borders, this is our constant.
Timeline
Browse photos from our archives and explore the timeline below to journey through our history over the past century and a half.
2000–present
Our Leadership
since incorporation in 1915
George Searles
1915
Erie Chapel incorporated and adopted the name Erie Chapel Institute in 1915. Rev. George Searles was both pastor and director.
Florence Towne
1926
Florence Towne arrived at Erie as the kindergarten teacher and head girls resident in 1914 and went on to spend 25 years in the role of director of Erie Chapel Institute.
Ross Lyman
1951
Rev. Ross Lyman served dual roles as minister of Erie Chapel and executive director of Erie House.
Merri Ex
1977
Merri Ex first came to Erie House as a community organizer. She became executive director at age 24 and was the first Spanish-speaking director of the agency.
Rafael Ravelo
1985
Rafael "Rafa" Ravelo is the first Latino individual to become executive director.
Esther Nieves
1997
Esther Nieves succeeds Rafa Ravelo as executive director after serving as associate executive director for the agency.
Ricardo Estrada
2003
A Mexican-American immigrant, Ricardo "Ric" Estrada became executive director at Erie House after serving as associate executive director under Esther Nieves.
Celena Roldán
2010
Celena Roldán served as social worker and director of child care before being named executive director.
Kirstin Chernawsky
2016
Kirstin Chernawsky became executive director after serving as senior director of development and communications.