Hull House and Religion

Many may say that Jane Addams' work with the Hull House does not necessarily embody religion. Although the Hull House is not spiritually based on a religion, I do believe it is as well as Addams and colleagues' work religious. In the most simplest sense religion is but just a mere practice of something. Addams didn't explicitly represent a spiritual religion but did reference to and base most if not all of her work on Christian (Jesus' life) principles.
The mission of the Hull House was to "provide a center for higher civic and social life; to institute and maintain educational and philanthropic enterprises, and to investigate and improve the conditions in the industrial districts of Chicago," (112). Addams' goal was to help the poor in this community, which were mainly immigrants. She wanted the Hull House something that not only helped but unified the people in the community. To Addams this was what religion, Christianity specifically, helping others, action, what she calls humanitarianism. She says that some motives of the House are result of a "renaissance going forward in Christianity," (122). The Hull House, although contrary to many beliefs, was the embodiment of Jesus. Addams made it clear with her references to Jesus and through her own beliefs that religion is more than what you say, it is how you take action on those things, it is a way a life (122). She goes on to say that a true society/community in which all are connected and unified and accepting of one another (e.g. a community in action) is a move toward humanitarianism and in more the foundation of Christianity laid by Jesus. Addams goes on to write how such a way of living pushes "us on toward social and individual salvation," (127).
To Jane Addams the Hull House was ""a Cathedral of Humanity"" which she describes as a church. Even though the Hull House was not a church, its doctrine and practice of humanitarianism was the closest representation of "religious sentiments" for those with no church association (152). So in essence Jane Addams or the Hull House was not explicitly religious in a spiritual way but the goals and motives were somewhat religiously based. Also due to the fact that the Hull House had its own symbols, motives and meanings it can be part of the greater religion Addams continually mentions, humanitarianism.