By Ricky Rieckert
Dear readers,
This week I’m writing about St. Mary’s Parish, on the northwest corner of Downer Place and Root Street in Aurora.
In the winter of 1848, Mr. I. E. Labrie, an influential citizen, went to Bourbonnais, to explain to the Parish Priest there, the needs of the 700 Aurora Catholics.
After occasional visits by Father Louis A. Courjault, Bishop James O. Van de Velde, the second bishop of Chicago, was persuaded, in September 1850, to come to Aurora, to administer Confirmation.
Returning in February 1851, Bishop Van de Velde purchased 19.5 acres, for a church, which was soon built and dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
Father Courjault was succeeded in Bourbonnais by Father F. Lebel, who said mass in Aurora, once a month. In a short time, he became the first resident pastor in Aurora.
The arrival of many Irish and German immigrants increased the size of the congregation, which had been predominantly French Canadian.
As I wrote in a previous article, a severe windstorm did considerable damage to that Church, December 24, 1852.
The property was then sold to a railroad and a new site was secured at the corner of Pine and Spruce Street’s, (today in the area of the Tanner Historical District). There, the second Sacred Heart Church was built, by the pastor, Father Zuker.
On the morning of November 8, 1869, a fire completely destroyed the second Sacred Heart Church.
Father T. B. Murphy (1869-1877) and his congregation were set about building a new church, this time in East Aurora.
The new church was dedicated on July 7, 1872. With the change in location, came a change of name, St. Mary’s.
Father P.A. McLaughlin (1894-1907), built the first Parochial School in 1902, and obtained the services of the Sisters of Providence from Saint Mary of the Woods, Ind..
October 8, 1972, St. Mary’s Parish celebrated its 100th. anniversary and at the same time, Father Edward J. Connolly (1964-1971), who retired as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, in September of 1971, celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood.
In 1975, under the pastorate of Father Richard W. Paddock (1971-1987), St. Mary School was renovated as a Parish Center and Area Center for Religious Education.
In October of 1988, under the pastorate of Father Albert F. Rennell (1987-1994), the statue of Mary was moved in front of the Parish Center as a new shrine to the Blessed Mother.
Since August of 2005, Father Timothy R. Piasecki was the pastor until he retired. He still resides in Aurora.
As of June 16, 2022, Father Antoni Kretowicz is the pastor of St. Mary’s.
I will add some personal notes to finish up with St. Mary’s, next week. Have a great week.