About Our Parishes

St. Patrick's Catholic Church

St. Patrick's Catholic Church was formed in 1859 with only thirty families, who then held Mass in their homes. From 1859- 1890, it was a mission parish served by priests in neighboring St. George and St. Anne. It is said that the priests who tended the mission parish in those early days encountered many hardships since the means of travel were challenging. In fact, it is said that Rev. Joseph LeSage, who took served from 1878-1886, used a hand car on the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad to get from St. George, where he was the pastor, to Momence.

Rev. P. Paradis had the first church built in 1862 by Catholic settlers who hauled logs and lumber from timber on the Kankakee River. The small timber structure measured 30 by 26 feet and was built where the present-day church stands today. Rev. Paradis was succeeded by Rev, M Letellier, pastor of St. Anne, who served for the next six years, followed by Rev. Lesage and then Rev. Z Berard.

By the 1880s, the parish outgrew the small chapel and Rev. Berard had a second larger frame church built. In 1886, the first rectory was built just south of the church.

In 1890, Rev. George Kerston was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Patrick’s, which then had 100 families in the parish.

In 1914, Rev. A. L. Labrie had the present day church built, with the cornerstone being laid May 8. The first Mass was held July 4, 1915. The cost of the church was $31,969, plus $7,633 for furnishings. The stained-glass windows, which are still present today, were donated by parishioners. Records show the windows were purchased in 1915 from John J. Kinsella & Co, in Chicago, makers of Art Glass. Original bills show the large transept window, “The Assumption” was $450; “St. John the Baptist” was $90 and “Our Lady of Lourdes,” $250. It is said that Rev. Labrie needed money for one last window and walked seven miles on a hot summer day to a parishioner’s house, in hopes of getting a donation.

In 1886, the first rectory was built just south of the church. In 1926, the grotto was erected in honor of the Virgin Mary, in the spirit of Our Lady of Lourdes. An altar was added for outdoor Masses in 2000.

As years went on, there became a need for a church in Hopkins Park. Rev. Demarais, then pastor at St. Patrick’s and Sister Mary Adelaide Gagnon started a mission there in 1939. Men from St. Patrick’s donated time and material to help build Sacred Heart Mission, which is still operating today.

In 1980, the interior of St. Patrick’s was completely renovated through parishioner donations and in 1985 the old rectory was razed and a new one built.

St. Patrick Academy

The cornerstone for St. Patrick Academy was laid in 1906, under the direction of Rev. La Brie, who invited the Sister Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary to serve as teachers and administrators. It opened Aug. 8, 1907, and the sisters hosted an “open house” inviting everyone from the parish and surrounding area. People brought gifts, including dishes, pots, pans, towels, etc.

The school began as a small parish school and boarding school for girls and boys in elementary school, and girls in high school. The first year, there was 75-80 day-school pupils and six boarders. In those first years, there was no money for hired help so the sisters would rise at 3:00 a.m. to do wash. They spent their summers housecleaning, scrubbing and painting.

In 1924, with growing enrollment, came a new addition which included a chapel, new classroom and dormitories. In 1931 a gymnasium was built.

The last year for grade school boarders was 1961 and the last year for the all-girls high school was 1965. The sisters taught until 1972. The following year, the academy was purchased from them. In 1986, the unused convent portion was demolished and a new front exterior wall, complete with decorative cross, was built the following year. The school chapel was renovated in 1987. Unfortunately, the academy closed in 2009.

St. Anne's Catholic Church