A Glimpse at Our Past
1950
February
Bishop Martin McNamara of Joliet asked the Marian Fathers to take a census of the new subdivision around the seminary. A Mission of Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills was established at the Marian Hills Seminary chapel and became known as Tri-State Mission. Fr. John Savukynas was asked to care for this new Mission, the forerunner of the Marian parish of Our Lady of Peace in Darien, Illinois. Later in 1950, Fr. John leaves St. Mary’s and Fr. Alphonse Micka is appointed to succeed him.
1959
The mission becomes a parish — St. Mary’s in Clarendon Hills.
1962
February 4
Ground was broken for the construction of St. Mary’s School and Church (now our school gymnasium).
December 16
The first Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church.
1963
May
St. Mary’s Church was blessed by the Rt. Reverend Romeo Blanchette, then Vice-General of the Joliet Diocese.
September
St. Mary’s School opened with Grade 1 taught by Mrs. Winifred Godzik and Fr. Al serving as the principal.
1964
The Sisters of St. Casimir accepted an invitation from Fr. Al to teach at St. Mary’s. That September, Grades 1 through 6 were taught at our school.
1965
September
Grade 7 was added to St. Mary’s School.
1966
September
Grade 8 was added to St. Mary’s School.
1968
The Our Lady of Peace Rectory was built, and Fr. Al and Fr. Brown no longer had to commute from the Marian Hills Seminary.
1970
The need for a larger, separate church was apparent and a building committee was formed.
1975
July
Ground was broken for the new church.
1977
May 7
The first mass (First Holy Communion) was celebrated in our new church.
Oct. 16
The church was blessed by Bishop Blanchette, then Bishop of the Joliet Diocese.
1981
The new addition to the school opened — housing the library, learning center, science room and religious education offices.
1981
September
Kindergarten started.
1982
September
St. Mary’s Parish was renamed Our Lady of Peace.
1984
The parish celebrates its 25th anniversary.
— From a special publication commemorating the 25th anniversary of Our Lady of Peace Parish.
