When Saint Francis Xavier Parish was established in LaGrange in 1890, it encompassed a huge area bounded on the north by Roosevelt Road, on the south by Joliet Road, the Des Plaines River of the east and Belmont Avenue in Downers Grove to the west. As the use of the railroad, the improvement and extension of highways and the growing popularity of the automobile spurred conversion of farmlands into residential communities, Saint Francis spawned more than fifteen parishes to serve the increased Catholic population of the southwest suburbs. Divine Providence Parish evolved from this process.
Divine Infant Jesus Parish had been established in Westchester in 1947 to relieve the overburden on Saint Simeon's Parish in Bellwood and St. Eulalia's Parish in Maywood. By 1956 Father Charles Langan, the founding pastor, recognized that his staff and facilities would not be adequate to provide full service to the Catholic population of Westchester which was increasing rapidly due to the development of the farm areas in the southwest part of the village. He petitioned the Archdiocese to establish a second parish in Westchester.
On June 27, 1956 Samuel Cardinal Stritch assigned Father Walter T. Mclnerney, then Administrator of Saint Barbara's Parish, Brookfield, to form a new parish in Westchester. Father Mclnerney's first act was to appear at all the Masses at Divine Infant on Sunday, July 7. He announced his assignment, and thanked Father Langan for his influence and his hospitality. He described his experience and qualifications and solicited the support of his new parishioners, most of them members of Divine Infant Jesus Parish.A meeting was held on August 8 in the rectory of Divine Infant Jesus Parish. In attendance were Monsignors Kelly and Maguire, Fathers Mclnerney, Langan and Hanley, O.S.M., pastor of St. Domitilla Parish in Hillside. Agreement was reached on the boundaries for the new parish. The boundaries were:
"All territory within the village limits of Westchester extending south from the south side of 22nd Street inclusive From the north side of 22nd Street inclusive, all territory extending west from Downing Street inclusive. All territory incorporated within the village limits of Hillside on the east side of Wolf Road, extending south from the south side of Canterbury Road inclusive."
This agreement was reported to the Chancery Office accompanied by a list of proposed names for the new parish.The New Parish Was Formed
The parish was canonically established on September 12, 1956 and given the name Divine Providence.
Shortly thereafter a Braun built bi-level residence at 10834 Windsor Drive was purchased. The upper level provided private quarters for Father Mclnerney. The ground level was used for meals, and was also the location for many organizational meetings. The basement level provided a site for weekday Mass, Confession and Baptism during those early months.
With the cooperation of Public School Board 92 1/2 and Superintendent Beamish, arrangements were made to celebrate Sunday Mass in the High Ridge School. The first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, September 9, in the second floor corridor. This practice continued until the gymnasium of this new building was completed and a move was made to that more commodious location. During the first year, when a Holy Day fell on a regular school day, Mass was celebrated in the as yet incomplete but adequate confines of the funeral home John A. Budilovsky was building at 22nd Street at Hawthorne Avenue.
Drawing from the Martindale Estates News, 1960?
Walter S. Baltis, builder and developer of much of Westchester, had donated 7.75 acres of undeveloped land to the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago which in turn deeded it to the parish. The newly acquired parish land fronted on Mayfair Avenue some 600 feet from 2400 south to 2700 south. The architectural firm of Gaul & Voosen was then chosen to draw plans for the initial buildings. A church, meeting room and eight classrooms were specified for this phase.
The work of organizing the parish continued energetically. Edward F. Barrett and James P. Newell were appointed Trustees to assist the pastor. Committees were formed and block captains designated to canvass he parish. Every home within the boundaries was called upon, and it was found that 495 Catholic families lived in the parish at the outset.
Building permits were held in abeyance due to a water shortage problem delaying construction on the new buildings until September 3, 1957. Meanwhile Father Mclnerney continued to seek a religious order to staff the school. It was most heartening when Mother Lucina, C.D.P., wrote in February 1958 to advise that her order, the Sisters of Divine Providence, Normandy, Missouri, would staff the school.
Another residence was purchased at 2501 Martindale Drive East and was prepared to serve as a temporary convent.
Once building began, no further construction delays occurred. The school opened on September 3, 1958, admitting 281 children in grades 1 through 6, under the direction of a staff consisting of three nuns and four lay teachers. Two additions of four classrooms each were added, one in 1959, and the other in 1960. The school reached its peak enrollment in 1967 with 724 children in sixteen classrooms.
Divine Providence Church was completed so that the first Mass could be celebrated there on All Saints Day, November 1, 1958. On Sunday, April 19, 1959, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Albert Meyer, then Archbishop of Chicago, solemnly dedicated both the church and the school. In September 1960, the St. Joseph High School for Boys and Immaculate Heart of Mary High School for Girls began operations on their shared site in the parish. Father Mclnerney had encouraged these developments, and the mutually beneficial cooperation between all these organizations of common purpose began then and continues today.
In late summer of 1961, a convent and rectory-administration building were completed and occupied.
The Newell family moved to Ohio, and Joseph J. Prochaska was named to replace Mr. Newell as Trustee. Messrs. Barrett and Prochaska continue in those offices, and have been very helpful to the pastor, while providing valuable representation for all parishioners.
A tangible measure of the leadership and the support the parish received is found in a rare statistic. All the construction, furnishings and improvements in the parish to that time were fully paid for in less than ten years leaving no debt. A surplus commenced to accumulate.
In mid 1968, the firm of Gail and Voosen was commissioned to prepare a basic plan for a permanent church. Parishioners were invited to view, discuss and make recommendations regarding these plans during open meetings held in September and November. In December, Father Mclnerney submitted the plans to Cardinal Cody, along with the request by the parish for permission to build. The Cardinal deferred a reply until the following March, at which time he declined to grant the request because he had observed a reduction in the weekly income of the parish.
The church, once thought temporary, was completely carpeted. Air conditioning and stained glass windows were installed. The pews were removed, repaired, refinished and reinstalled.
The Holy Name Society and Catholic Women's Club, formed in the first months of parish life, continue to be active and vital organizations. An athletic program started in 1961 to provide instruction and organize outlets for youthful energy. The senior citizens group gained size and strength as it broadened its programs to attract and serve more of the eligible. Though school enrollment declined, there was a comparable growth in the number of grammar school children attending CCD classes. At the end of the year 1975, 1,400 families and single registered parishioners were listed on the parish roll.
Father Mclnerney was named Pastor Emeritus, effective after December 31, 1975. Father John V. Dolciamore, S.T.L., J C.L. was appointed pastor effective January 1, 1976.
In his initial meeting with parishioners. Father Dolciamore described his hope and his plans to emphasize the Christian Community a parish should be. There were to be many added opportunities for people to use their gifts and become involved in whatever facet of parish life they saw as an outlet for expression or source for fulfillment.
In 1977, acting upon the recommendations made in the documents of Vatican Council II as well as those made by the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, and with an overwhelming mandate given by the parishioners at large, a Parish Council was formed. A School Board had been formed two years previously. The responsibility and authority of both groups have increased to the point that they have become the policy making organizations of the parish. The contributions of the laymen and laywomen of the Liturgical Committee to the festive and Sunday Mass celebrations resulted in greater participation by the congregation. Lay ministers of Holy Communion were mandated by the Office of Divine Worship of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Parishioners began leading the congregation in song. There was significant encouragement for various study groups, of those dedicated to the rosary devotion, of pro-life adherents, and others. Some twenty different parish lay groups were formed.
In September, 1978, pre-school and kindergarten classes were added to the grammar school in the hope this earlier introduction to the values of Catholic education would stem the decline in enrollment in grades 1 through 8. Though early, there are signs of success. This action coupled with the closing of the nearby Kennedy public school suggests the permanence and value of our parish school.
Improvements to the parish plant continued.
- Marble altars, purchased from Saint John of the Cross Parish, Western Springs, were installed in the church.
- The sanctuary was recarpeted and refurnished. The voice amplification system was extended and noticeably improved.
- Direct access to the sacristy was provided, and ramps were constructed at the church entrance for the convenience of worshipers confined to wheelchairs.
The exterior of the church and other areas of the parish property were beautified through a number of decorative plantings. The CCD office was relocated, and new meeting rooms were arranged in the south end of the main building. The purchase of high speed printing and duplicating equipment has added maneuverability and efficiency.Summers have been brightened by a Family Festival held on parish grounds, providing opportunities to work and to play for parishioners of all ages. A Saint Joseph's Table celebration, instituted in 1981, brought many more parishioners into contact with their parish, and with one another.
The aim of the pastor and Parish Council was to lead the parish from the traditional, institutional model into one of a Christian Community emphasizing sharing and caring, and open for the participation of all its members. It appears to have work nicely and continues today.
Throughout its history, the pastor and people of Divine Providence have had abundant help from many talented, dedicated people, none more so that the Sisters of Divine Providence and the self-sacrificing lay teachers who have staffed the school. Particular recognition is due Sister Mary Linus, C.D.P., Principal for eighteen years, and architect of the good and strong operation that remains.
Upon the retirement of Father Mclnerney, Father John V. Dolciamore continued the growth of the parish. Under his Spiritual leadership, Divine Providence celebrated its Silver Jubilee with His Eminence John Cardinal Cody, Archbishop of Chicago presiding, and construction was started on the new church in May, 1985 and dedicated in September, 1986, by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago.Upon Father Dolciamore's reassignment Father John C. Rosemeyer was welcomed as the third pastor in 1987.
The temporary church was remodeled into a social center and on September 9, 1989, was dedicated as the Mclnerney Center in memory of Father Mclnerney, pastor Emeritus, who passed away on August 31, 1989.
Under the Spiritual leadership of Father Rosemeyer, Divine Providence celebrated its 35th Anniversary presided over by the Most Rev. Thaddeus J. Jakubowski, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, in September 1991.In the Summer of 1993, the first floor of the convent was remodeled into the Ministry Center and the second floor into complete living quarters for the Sisters.
Help with masses has been received from Dominican Fathers from Fenwick High School, Maryknoll Fathers, Servite Fathers, Jesuit Fathers, Comboni Fathers and Resurrectionist Fathers.
Divine Providence School
Divine Providence School opened on September 3, 1958, staffed by three Sisters and four lay teachers. There were 281 children in grades one through six. The first graduating class of 1961 had 52 members. Through 1996, 1700 students have graduated from the Divine Providence School.
In September 1978, pre-school and kindergarten classes began. Since that time, a program has been established for three and four year olds.
In 1989, a grant and an interest free loan was obtained from EPA to remove the asbestos from the school. Divine Providence was the first archdiocese parish to accomplish this task.
The Sisters of Divine Providence staffed the school beginning September, 1958. Until the completion of a new convent in 1961, the Sisters lived in a residence purchased for them as a temporary convent.
Over the years the following Sisters have served as principal of Divine Providence School:
Sister Mary Linus Musick, C.D.P.
Sister Mary Philip Hampton, C.D.P.
Sister Rosemary Micka, C.D.P
Sister Jo Ann Simanella, C.D.P.
The primary source of this information are:
Divine Providence Parish publications and directories, 1981, 1991 and 1996
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