140 Oakwood Avenue | West Chicago, IL 60185 | 1-630-231-0013

Our History

St. Mary's Parish began as a part of St. Patrick's Parish of St. Charles in 1853. At that time, priests from St. Patrick's came by horse and buggy to offer Mass once a month. Then, in 1867, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph McConnell deeded to Bishop Duggan of the Chicago Diocese land to be devoted to "building of a respectable house of worship". This led to the construction of the original stone church in 1868. In 1871, when the parish of Holy Cross was formed in Batavia, West Chicago--then known as Turner Junction--was one of its missions. When St. Mary's became a separate parish in 1894, the first resident priest, Rev. Ambrose Goulet, made plans for a new church and erected the present building, using stone from the old church as the foundation. Plain wooden altars from the first building were used until new altars could be purchased. The first rectory was built in 1897.

 In 1910, Fr. Gaffney, the new pastor, personally began digging the church basement so that the church would have two rooms available for church functions. He also installed the bells. Due to his foresight, the parish acquired land next to the rectory where he hoped to build a parochial school. He helped organize the Altar Boys, and Knights of Columbus, Council 1555, which was later named for him.  Fr. Gaffney began conducting religious education courses for the children of the parish. This practice was continued by his successors until the building of the school.

St. Mary's marked its 50th Anniversary in 1944 by remodeling the interior of the church. DePrato Studios of New York designed and installed new altars and statues. Grace Jemsek hand painted the Stations of the Cross. The old windows were replaced with new glass depicting portions of the "Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary". A new tabernacle was installed. In 1948 St. Mary's became a part of the Diocese of Joliet, formed from the Archdiocese of Chicago and surrounding dioceses. During this time, the first religious education classes (CCD) were instituted using lay teachers.

The 75th anniversary of St. Mary's in 1969 saw a growing parish with a Parish Council, Parents Club, Religious Education, Athletic and Scouting Programs all flourishing under Fr. Henry Wilkening. A Spanish speaking associate, Fr. Benjamin Hernandez, and Sr. Margaret Mary Neirincyx were assigned to assist the Spanish-speaking community.

Our Centennial Year officially kicked off in July of 1993 with a large celebration called Maryfest. Plans were implemented for a Centennial Choir to present various programs throughout the Centennial Year under the direction of Mr. Ronald Benner. Over 100 people sang in the choir at the first of these events.  Patrick Caddie from the former DePrato Studios restored the statues and crucifix that had been installed fifty years before.