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< A History of St. Barbara Parish
< A History of St. Therese Parish (condensed version)
Part I – The Beginning of Santa Maria Incoronata
During the 1890’s, people from all over Italy were migrating to this country; most left their native land in search of a better life. Many of those who immigrated to Chicago came from southern Italy and settled in an area bounded by Lake Street , Halsted Street , 39th Street , and Lake Michigan.
Nearly all of these Italian immigrants were Catholic. They attended many parishes in the vicinity in which they lived; however, because they did not understand English, they did not feel a sense of connection with the pastors. Many soon began to neglect their religious duties, and even those who continued to attend Mass didn’t feel like part of the congregation.
Stemming from this need, these immigrants appealed to the Archdiocese for an Italian priest and a place of their own in which to worship. The Archdiocese responded to this request by bringing Reverend Orazio Mangione to this area from Buffalo , NY . With his assistance, the parish was founded and a small chapel opened in the school building of St. John’s Church on 18th and Clark . The parish was officially founded on November 26, 1899.
Under the guidance of Fr. Mangione, many Italians returned to church, and soon the parish was officially named after the Patroness of Ricigliano, “Maria SS Incoronata.” The parishioners raised nearly $600 to pay for a statue of the Madonna from Italy , and Mrs. Molly V. O’Neill Cleary acted as the driving force behind the everyday financing of the parish through fundraising and her own personal donations. However, this building soon proved inadequate in terms of location, so Fr. Mangione’s successor, Scalabrini Father Riccardo Lorenzoni, chose the more centralized location of 218 W. Alexander.
The first Mass was celebrated with great fanfare on December 8, 1903 . It began with a procession from the old chapel and included fireworks and two marching bands. The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Fr. Lorenzoni…even though the pews were not yet in place! The cornerstone was laid on August 14, 1904 , with Archbishop Quigley presiding.
Nearly all of these Italian immigrants were Catholic. They attended many parishes in the vicinity in which they lived; however, because they did not understand English, they did not feel a sense of connection with the pastors. Many soon began to neglect their religious duties, and even those who continued to attend Mass didn’t feel like part of the congregation.
Stemming from this need, these immigrants appealed to the Archdiocese for an Italian priest and a place of their own in which to worship. The Archdiocese responded to this request by bringing Reverend Orazio Mangione to this area from Buffalo , NY . With his assistance, the parish was founded and a small chapel opened in the school building of St. John’s Church on 18th and Clark . The parish was officially founded on November 26, 1899.
Under the guidance of Fr. Mangione, many Italians returned to church, and soon the parish was officially named after the Patroness of Ricigliano, “Maria SS Incoronata.” The parishioners raised nearly $600 to pay for a statue of the Madonna from Italy , and Mrs. Molly V. O’Neill Cleary acted as the driving force behind the everyday financing of the parish through fundraising and her own personal donations. However, this building soon proved inadequate in terms of location, so Fr. Mangione’s successor, Scalabrini Father Riccardo Lorenzoni, chose the more centralized location of 218 W. Alexander.
The first Mass was celebrated with great fanfare on December 8, 1903 . It began with a procession from the old chapel and included fireworks and two marching bands. The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Fr. Lorenzoni…even though the pews were not yet in place! The cornerstone was laid on August 14, 1904 , with Archbishop Quigley presiding.
Part II – Santa Maria Incoronata 1904 – 1962
THE CLUB
Since the church’s dedication in 1904, different groups of Italian parishioners formed many “clubs” within the parish of Santa Maria Incoronata. Each club was closed, meaning members had to come from a club’s specific town or region’s ancestry, and each had its own annual feast. In 1920 the Calabrese from the small village of Simbario in Catanzaro formed the St. Rocco di Simbario club; it is the only surviving closed club today, celebrating the Feast of St. Rocco each year on the second Sunday of August.
Fr. Lorenzioni was very active in forming Club Maria SS Incoronata e San Cristoforo di Ricigliano (SMI), which he intended to be a club open to the whole parish. This club sponsored the two feasts that opened and closed the feast season, and to this day both the May feast (known as May Crowning since 1962) and the September feast and procession are joyfully celebrated.
THE SCHOOL AND NEW CHAPEL
Santa Maria Incoronata Parochial School opened in September of 1914 with instruction by the Sisters of Notre Dame. It was located at 25th and Princeton and was formerly part of St. Anthony’s parish. Over the next forty years, attendance exploded so much so that in 1953, a larger school had to be opened on 25th Street to accommodate all the students.
Meanwhile, although attendance at the school and church was good, the parishioners south of 29th Street began to complain that the distance was too great to attend Mass every Sunday. Since some of the parishioners had moved in that direction, then-pastor Father Lazzeri quietly looked for a suitable location for a new “satellite” chapel. He chose the present site of Santa Lucia, which was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1943.
CHANGING OF THE TIMES AND CULTURE
During World War II, the demographics of the Santa Maria Parish neighborhood began to shift. The parish had succeeded in helping the Italian immigrants get started in America , and the parish school had succeeded in educating their children. The trend in the neighborhood at the time was to get an education and move to the southwest or northwest sides of the city. The urgency to move was further exacerbated by the construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway, which forced many Italians out of the area. But meanwhile, more and more new immigrants of Asian descent began to settle in the vicinity of the parish.
Since the church’s dedication in 1904, different groups of Italian parishioners formed many “clubs” within the parish of Santa Maria Incoronata. Each club was closed, meaning members had to come from a club’s specific town or region’s ancestry, and each had its own annual feast. In 1920 the Calabrese from the small village of Simbario in Catanzaro formed the St. Rocco di Simbario club; it is the only surviving closed club today, celebrating the Feast of St. Rocco each year on the second Sunday of August.
Fr. Lorenzioni was very active in forming Club Maria SS Incoronata e San Cristoforo di Ricigliano (SMI), which he intended to be a club open to the whole parish. This club sponsored the two feasts that opened and closed the feast season, and to this day both the May feast (known as May Crowning since 1962) and the September feast and procession are joyfully celebrated.
THE SCHOOL AND NEW CHAPEL
Santa Maria Incoronata Parochial School opened in September of 1914 with instruction by the Sisters of Notre Dame. It was located at 25th and Princeton and was formerly part of St. Anthony’s parish. Over the next forty years, attendance exploded so much so that in 1953, a larger school had to be opened on 25th Street to accommodate all the students.
Meanwhile, although attendance at the school and church was good, the parishioners south of 29th Street began to complain that the distance was too great to attend Mass every Sunday. Since some of the parishioners had moved in that direction, then-pastor Father Lazzeri quietly looked for a suitable location for a new “satellite” chapel. He chose the present site of Santa Lucia, which was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1943.
CHANGING OF THE TIMES AND CULTURE
During World War II, the demographics of the Santa Maria Parish neighborhood began to shift. The parish had succeeded in helping the Italian immigrants get started in America , and the parish school had succeeded in educating their children. The trend in the neighborhood at the time was to get an education and move to the southwest or northwest sides of the city. The urgency to move was further exacerbated by the construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway, which forced many Italians out of the area. But meanwhile, more and more new immigrants of Asian descent began to settle in the vicinity of the parish.
Part III – St. Therese Chinese Catholic Mission
CHICAGO'S CHINESE IMMIGRANTS – BEGINNING OF ST. THERESE
After the decline of labor demands for the California gold rush and construction of the Transcontinental railroad, many Chinese immigrants moved east to Chicago . The first Chinese district in Chicago was established around Harrison and Clark. Many of these immigrants worked for small import-export businesses and service manufacturers. Most of the early Chinese settlers came from Taishan, a county in the southern province of Kwangtung , and the majority could be characterized as practicing some form of Buddhism or Taoism. Around 1912, they began to inhabit the present-day Chinatown area.
Although St. Therese Chinese Mission was not canonically established until October of 1947, the work of organizing and converting Chicago ’s Chinese Catholics began much earlier. During the 1920’s, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Franciscan Priests from St. Peter’s Church began to teach catechism to the Chinese children. But efforts to establish a Chinese Catholic community, although noble, were not fruitful until Reverend John T.S. Mao appeared in 1940. Fr. Mao, a native of Nanking , China , established instruction classes in the rectory of Old St. John’s Church , and on August 25, 1940 , Archbishop Samuel A. Stritch baptized 24 Chinese children at this location.
On September 11, 1940 , Fr. Mao rented a store on 2302 S. Wentworth and opened the first Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago. It was named St. Therese, after the patron saint of the missions, as a culmination of earlier efforts to establish a Chinese Catholic community in the city. In 1941, a Chinese social center followed at 2311 S. Wentworth to serve the fast-growing Chinese community. It provided essential services to those who could not communicate in English. The new center was located close to Santa Maria Incoronata Parish.
FORMAL DEDICATION OF ST. THERESE CHINESE MISSION
After Fr. Mao returned to China as procurator of the Nanking diocese, the Maryknoll Fathers were placed in charge of St. Therese. Reverend Martin Burke became pastor on May 14, 1944 . Fr. Burke was uniquely qualified to lead St. Therese because he had spent 10 years as a missionary in South China and was fluent in four Cantonese dialects. Under Fr. Burke’s leadership, St. Therese Chinese Mission was relocated to the building at 2311 S. Wentworth, and the chapel in this structure was dedicated on April 8, 1945.
On October 18, 1947 , St. Therese Chinese Mission was formally erected by Cardinal Stritch through a special faculty from the Holy See as a national parish for the Chinese community in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The need for this was substantiated when Chinese immigrants started fleeing from communist China to Chicago . Once they arrived, St. Therese Chinese Catholic Mission assisted these new immigrants by providing free education to their children at St. Therese School and addressing their other basic essential needs. During the era of the 1940s through the mid-1960s, St. Therese Chinese Mission served as the refuge for many Chinese immigrants as they struggled to survive in a harsh and discriminatory environment, and Fr. Michael McKiernan, pastor of St. Therese, and many Maryknoll Sisters played very significant roles in this important ministry.
After the decline of labor demands for the California gold rush and construction of the Transcontinental railroad, many Chinese immigrants moved east to Chicago . The first Chinese district in Chicago was established around Harrison and Clark. Many of these immigrants worked for small import-export businesses and service manufacturers. Most of the early Chinese settlers came from Taishan, a county in the southern province of Kwangtung , and the majority could be characterized as practicing some form of Buddhism or Taoism. Around 1912, they began to inhabit the present-day Chinatown area.
Although St. Therese Chinese Mission was not canonically established until October of 1947, the work of organizing and converting Chicago ’s Chinese Catholics began much earlier. During the 1920’s, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Franciscan Priests from St. Peter’s Church began to teach catechism to the Chinese children. But efforts to establish a Chinese Catholic community, although noble, were not fruitful until Reverend John T.S. Mao appeared in 1940. Fr. Mao, a native of Nanking , China , established instruction classes in the rectory of Old St. John’s Church , and on August 25, 1940 , Archbishop Samuel A. Stritch baptized 24 Chinese children at this location.
On September 11, 1940 , Fr. Mao rented a store on 2302 S. Wentworth and opened the first Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago. It was named St. Therese, after the patron saint of the missions, as a culmination of earlier efforts to establish a Chinese Catholic community in the city. In 1941, a Chinese social center followed at 2311 S. Wentworth to serve the fast-growing Chinese community. It provided essential services to those who could not communicate in English. The new center was located close to Santa Maria Incoronata Parish.
FORMAL DEDICATION OF ST. THERESE CHINESE MISSION
After Fr. Mao returned to China as procurator of the Nanking diocese, the Maryknoll Fathers were placed in charge of St. Therese. Reverend Martin Burke became pastor on May 14, 1944 . Fr. Burke was uniquely qualified to lead St. Therese because he had spent 10 years as a missionary in South China and was fluent in four Cantonese dialects. Under Fr. Burke’s leadership, St. Therese Chinese Mission was relocated to the building at 2311 S. Wentworth, and the chapel in this structure was dedicated on April 8, 1945.
On October 18, 1947 , St. Therese Chinese Mission was formally erected by Cardinal Stritch through a special faculty from the Holy See as a national parish for the Chinese community in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The need for this was substantiated when Chinese immigrants started fleeing from communist China to Chicago . Once they arrived, St. Therese Chinese Catholic Mission assisted these new immigrants by providing free education to their children at St. Therese School and addressing their other basic essential needs. During the era of the 1940s through the mid-1960s, St. Therese Chinese Mission served as the refuge for many Chinese immigrants as they struggled to survive in a harsh and discriminatory environment, and Fr. Michael McKiernan, pastor of St. Therese, and many Maryknoll Sisters played very significant roles in this important ministry.
ST. THERESE SCHOOL
One other very important contribution by St. Therese Chinese Mission to the Chinatown community was the establishment of St. Therese School . After the formation of St. Therese Mission in September of 1940, in 1941 Fr. Mao opened a Catholic grade school in the On Leong Merchants’ Association Building , popularly known as Chinese City Hall , at the corner of 22nd Place and Wentworth. This was significant in two respects: One, no longer did the children have to commute long distances for spiritual enlightenment; and two, this was a clear indication of local community acceptance and support by the space provided in the On Leong Building. Faculty for the school was provided by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The first diplomas were awarded on June 14, 1942.
By the 1950’s the Maryknoll Sisters had assumed responsibility for the school, and the classrooms had become overcrowded and nearly half of the student body had to travel by bus to attend classes at St. Paul’s school about 6 miles west of Chinatown. In 1956, Reverend Frederick J. Becka was appointed pastor of St. Therese Mission, and he focused his attention on obtaining a single school building for St. Therese School . Through a major donation by benefactor Mr. Frank C. Callahan, support by the Chinatown merchants, and the earnest fundraising efforts of the students who sold raffle tickets door-to-door in the wealthy neighborhoods of Chicago, this vision was realized. A site was chosen for the new school – its current location, 247 W. 23rd Street . Construction began in 1959, and His Eminence, Cardinal Stritch dedicated the new school on April 30, 1961.
UNITING TWO CULTURES
The last Mass in St. Therese Chinese Mission at 2311 S. Wentworth was celebrated on August 28, 1960 , 15 years after the chapel was dedicated. As the Chinese Catholic population grew, it needed more room to worship. The Italian community of the near south side, through the Reverend Florian Girometta, offered to share the rectory and basement auditorium of Santa Maria Incoronata with the Chinese Catholics in the area. On September 4, 1960 , Chinese Catholics officially attended a Chinese Mass in the Italian church.
In 1963, Santa Maria Incoronata was consolidated with the mission of Santa Lucia at 3022 S. Wells, and the Santa Maria Incoronata building was passed on to St. Therese Chinese Mission. It was a sad time for many of the Italian parishioners who used to worship at the Alexander location, but today both groups still regularly worship side-by-side. Whereas the Italians used to host the Chinese at Santa Maria Incoronata, now the Chinese host the Italians at St. Therese, and even large Italian club milestones like St. Rocco’s 75thanniversary and Santa Maria Incoronata’s 100th were celebrated here in the Chinese community.
One other very important contribution by St. Therese Chinese Mission to the Chinatown community was the establishment of St. Therese School . After the formation of St. Therese Mission in September of 1940, in 1941 Fr. Mao opened a Catholic grade school in the On Leong Merchants’ Association Building , popularly known as Chinese City Hall , at the corner of 22nd Place and Wentworth. This was significant in two respects: One, no longer did the children have to commute long distances for spiritual enlightenment; and two, this was a clear indication of local community acceptance and support by the space provided in the On Leong Building. Faculty for the school was provided by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The first diplomas were awarded on June 14, 1942.
By the 1950’s the Maryknoll Sisters had assumed responsibility for the school, and the classrooms had become overcrowded and nearly half of the student body had to travel by bus to attend classes at St. Paul’s school about 6 miles west of Chinatown. In 1956, Reverend Frederick J. Becka was appointed pastor of St. Therese Mission, and he focused his attention on obtaining a single school building for St. Therese School . Through a major donation by benefactor Mr. Frank C. Callahan, support by the Chinatown merchants, and the earnest fundraising efforts of the students who sold raffle tickets door-to-door in the wealthy neighborhoods of Chicago, this vision was realized. A site was chosen for the new school – its current location, 247 W. 23rd Street . Construction began in 1959, and His Eminence, Cardinal Stritch dedicated the new school on April 30, 1961.
UNITING TWO CULTURES
The last Mass in St. Therese Chinese Mission at 2311 S. Wentworth was celebrated on August 28, 1960 , 15 years after the chapel was dedicated. As the Chinese Catholic population grew, it needed more room to worship. The Italian community of the near south side, through the Reverend Florian Girometta, offered to share the rectory and basement auditorium of Santa Maria Incoronata with the Chinese Catholics in the area. On September 4, 1960 , Chinese Catholics officially attended a Chinese Mass in the Italian church.
In 1963, Santa Maria Incoronata was consolidated with the mission of Santa Lucia at 3022 S. Wells, and the Santa Maria Incoronata building was passed on to St. Therese Chinese Mission. It was a sad time for many of the Italian parishioners who used to worship at the Alexander location, but today both groups still regularly worship side-by-side. Whereas the Italians used to host the Chinese at Santa Maria Incoronata, now the Chinese host the Italians at St. Therese, and even large Italian club milestones like St. Rocco’s 75thanniversary and Santa Maria Incoronata’s 100th were celebrated here in the Chinese community.
Part IV – St. Therese in the 21st Century
CHURCH RENOVATION (2000–2004)
The following years leading up to the twenty-first century witnessed an evolution at St. Therese Chinese Mission. Although a Chinese mission in name, it is in fact a “salad bowl” of ethnic origins. As one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago ’s Archdiocese, the physical church acknowledges this with reference to its past as well as its future.
Renovated and refurbished in 2000 and 2001, the church shines today like at no other time in its 100-year history. At the turn of the millennium, the current pastor, Reverend Michael Davitti of the Xaverian Missionaries, organized and presided over one of the largest renovation projects in parish history. Much of the fundraising was achieved through the Tree of Life program and through the generosity of anonymous benefactors. Also, with the help of Reverend Aniello Salicone, Fr. Davitti initiated the much-embraced annual “International Noodles Night” dinner and fundraiser to help defray the costs of the renovations.
During the planning stages of the renovation, Fr. Davitti was very careful to keep the design respectful of past traditions while beautifully including the present. The statues and stained glass windows symbolize its Italian roots. The statues of St. Rocco and St. Christopher point to the towns of Simbario and Ricigliano in Italy , and many of the stained glass windows are dedicated to the patron saints of specific Italian regions. Although many of the archives have been moved to Santa Lucia, the shrine of Santa Maria Incoronata remains here at St. Therese. And recently, Alexander Street also received the designation of Honorary Santa Maria Incoronata Street by the City of Chicago.
The Chinese influences are prominently featured as well. The parish’s main statement is in Chinese, located on the keystone above the altar. This character, “love,” appropriately represents our parish, as if to say, “All are held together by love.” The parish’s motto is reflected along the columns from right to left:
The following years leading up to the twenty-first century witnessed an evolution at St. Therese Chinese Mission. Although a Chinese mission in name, it is in fact a “salad bowl” of ethnic origins. As one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago ’s Archdiocese, the physical church acknowledges this with reference to its past as well as its future.
Renovated and refurbished in 2000 and 2001, the church shines today like at no other time in its 100-year history. At the turn of the millennium, the current pastor, Reverend Michael Davitti of the Xaverian Missionaries, organized and presided over one of the largest renovation projects in parish history. Much of the fundraising was achieved through the Tree of Life program and through the generosity of anonymous benefactors. Also, with the help of Reverend Aniello Salicone, Fr. Davitti initiated the much-embraced annual “International Noodles Night” dinner and fundraiser to help defray the costs of the renovations.
During the planning stages of the renovation, Fr. Davitti was very careful to keep the design respectful of past traditions while beautifully including the present. The statues and stained glass windows symbolize its Italian roots. The statues of St. Rocco and St. Christopher point to the towns of Simbario and Ricigliano in Italy , and many of the stained glass windows are dedicated to the patron saints of specific Italian regions. Although many of the archives have been moved to Santa Lucia, the shrine of Santa Maria Incoronata remains here at St. Therese. And recently, Alexander Street also received the designation of Honorary Santa Maria Incoronata Street by the City of Chicago.
The Chinese influences are prominently featured as well. The parish’s main statement is in Chinese, located on the keystone above the altar. This character, “love,” appropriately represents our parish, as if to say, “All are held together by love.” The parish’s motto is reflected along the columns from right to left:
Together in Christ, we are one happy family.
God’s grace nourishes my soul like rain pouring on parched land; Christ’s teachings enliven me like the spring breeze awakening nature after a long and desolate winter.
Many other symbols can also be found throughout the church to proclaim the community’s rich Chinese heritage, including a painting of Our Lady of China represented as an empress and a table laden with fruits, flowers, and incense offered in respect to the ancestors.
But despite the distinct symbolic reminders of two different heritages, the Chinese, Italian, and many other ethnicities have bridged their differences and now work in harmony for the common needs of the parish.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
October 2004 marked the 100-year anniversary of the parish; it was a celebration of the hard work of all who have been blessed by God. It was the perfect time to thank God for the precious gifts He had given us, and it was taken as the cue to use those gifts to live our lives in His image and to spread His message for the next 100 years and beyond. In the words of one Chinese poet, together we joined to praise God:
But despite the distinct symbolic reminders of two different heritages, the Chinese, Italian, and many other ethnicities have bridged their differences and now work in harmony for the common needs of the parish.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
October 2004 marked the 100-year anniversary of the parish; it was a celebration of the hard work of all who have been blessed by God. It was the perfect time to thank God for the precious gifts He had given us, and it was taken as the cue to use those gifts to live our lives in His image and to spread His message for the next 100 years and beyond. In the words of one Chinese poet, together we joined to praise God:
Amidst a heavenly shower of gently floating flowers,
The fragrance of roses covers our body and fills our thoughts.
Truly this majestic church has been raised
Through the loving grace of our Lord!
In these past hundred years, the lofty ideals and saintly mission
Of many who came before us have been realized and taught.
Lo! Ahead is the path of ever harmony and grandeur
Leading us, through loving all people, to glorify God.
Conclusion
As expressed throughout these years, the values taught in the Santa Maria Incoronata and St. Therese community are shining examples of the principles of the Catholic Church. Our community is a diverse but united body dedicated to serving its “borderless” community and practicing Christ’s teachings. As you have read, we have very distinct cultures represented within our parish, yet we share many of the same hardships and successes as immigrants in this country. But most importantly, we all share the love of Christ, and it is through this love that we continue to strive for the will of God.
