Saint Simon The Apostle Slovak Church - 1926

The Fall 1996 issue of our society's journal, the KORENY, included a summary of the beginnings of Saint Simon The Apostle Slovak Church:

It was a fitting beginning, that eve of the Fourth of July. The year? 1916!  America was at peace. Breathing deeply the air of freedom and rejoicing in the fresh joy of their citizenship in a democratic nation, a small group of Slovaks dared to dream dreams formerly unheard of in the land of their origin, Austria-Hungary.

Under the guidance of the Rev. Gregory Vanisciak, O.S.B., a meeting brought together various leaders to formulate a plan of action for the founding of a new parish. Mr. Martin Mensik read a letter from the Archbishop informing the group that those who wished to establish this new parish were themselves responsible for deciding its location and formation; that a sum of about $10,000 would be needed; and last, that Fr. Vanisciak would be the administrator of the new parish. The sixty members present immediately and unanimously chose the locations as west of Western Avenue somewhere on 51st Street. They elected the following Board of Directors: President, Joseph Massura; Secretary, Joseph Tomala and Stephen Raffac, Treasurer.

On December 10, 1916 a motion was passed authorizing the purchase of seven lots on California and three on Fairfield. The President of the group suggested they name the new parish SS. Peter and Paul.

Two months later Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. Progress on the proposed parish of SS Peter and Paul came to a standstill. By March 25, 1917, some property had been purchased, but at the next meeting held on August 19, it was reported that no further meeting was called until May 12, 1918. At that time word from the Archbishop informed the founders that the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel would assist the new foundation. A new parish Committee was formed retaining Joseph Reppa as President, adding John Massura as Vice-President, John Virva as the Secretary, and Stephen Raffac as Treasurer.

The following January 1, 1920, a discussion pursued the idea of purchasing or renting a store on South Rockwell and 51st Streets as a temporary church. The majority, however, pressed for a new building with or without ecclesiastical approval. Within three months, John Slovinec was asked to submit a sketch and determine approximate costs for a church structure. Plans for a school and a search for teaching Sisters followed. On January 30, 1921, the treasurer listed the paltry sum of $289.65 and a debt of $3,000. One year later, the total Parish assets amounted to $6,500. In order to realize the needed funds for the new building, each member of the proposed Parish was requested to donate at least $50 to the building fund. Most of them sincerely desired to contribute this amount, but the post-war period made financial contributions difficult. Hence, economic circumstances forced the Parish Committee to ask Michael Skorup for the use of his hall. He promised it would be ready for parochial purposes by May 1, 1922. Two years would slip by before another meeting for the founding of the Parish would be held.

The two-year vacuum called for a reorganization of forces and re-election of Committees and Trustees. Archbishop Mundelein decided against the building of a new church and promised to negotiate with the Augustinian Fathers al 55th and Talman for a Slovak priest to take care of their needs. This was totally unacceptable to the Parish Committee, and they decided to continue their efforts to establish a church and school where their children could be taught in their mother tongue. Several monthly meetings were held with the expressed determination of realizing their dreams for SS. Peter and Paul Slovak Church.

Finally, on August 7, 1925, a special committee visited the Chancery Office and gave the title deeds for 12 lots to the Archdiocese. The Chancery then appointed Monsignor Victor Blahunka to look into the matter. On January 10, 1927, Msgr. Blahunka suggested the possibility of having the four Slovak Bishops who were coming from Slovakia for the Eucharistic Congress in Chicago to lay the cornerstone of the new building. Cardinal Mundelein sent additional proposals concerning the new parish. However, the name of the new Slovak parish assigned by the Chancery Office was St. Simon the Apostle because a Polish parish in the near vicinity already had the name SS. Peter and Paul.

In August 1926, George Cardinal Mundelein appointed Rev. Edward A Sendek to organize a parish for Slovak Catholics who lived south and west of St. Michael the Archangel Church at 48th and Damen Ave.  Folowing his 0rdination in 1924, Father Sendek had served as an assistant at St. Mary Curch in Joliet.

An important gathering occurred on September 26, 1926, when the various committees met in session to greet their newly appointed pastor, Rev. Edward Sendek. Fr. Sendek congratulated the members upon their great progress and called upon them to continue their splendid efforts in behalf of the parish. He offered the first Mass for St. Simon Parish on October 3, 1926, in Michael Ardon's residence. When the original wooden building was completed it served the people's needs as a church for two years and was then converted into a parish hall.

In May 1928, the Cardinal approved the blueprints, presented by the architect, John Slovinec. In addition to a church, the plans called for an eight-room school on the second floor. Ground was broken in May 1928 for the new church and school, rectory, and convent. With a building fund of $25,000 and a total loan of more than $168,000, the Parish was soon ready for the blessing of the cornerstone on June 17, 1928, by Cardinal Mundelein.  In September of 1928, four sisters of SS Cyril and Methodius from Danville, Pennsylvania, opened the parish school.

Elaborate preludes to the blessing of the cornerstone were organized. There was a procession of police, flag bearers, St. Aloysius Cadets, uniformed Sokolky and Sokoly, Parish Societies, decorated autos, representatives of all the Slovak Catholic Parishes in the area, and bands from St. Simon's and St. Michael's Parish. The entourage started at the "old" wooden church on South California and proceeded north to 51st Street, east on 51st to South Rockwell, south to 54th Street, west on 54th to South California, and back to 52nd Street. Along the way, homes of parishioners were decked in Slovak and American flags. Strains of "Veni Creator" (Come Holy Ghost) filled the air as His Eminence blessed the church and school.

Father Sendek continued to serve the people of St. Simon the Apostle parish until December 1931 when he was named pastor of St. Paul Church in Chicago Heights.  His successor, Reverend Joseph A. Job had founded that Slovak parish in 1927.

Father Job continued the expansion of St. Simon the Apostle.  Four more classrooms were built in the combination building and by 1935 more than 300 children were attending school there.

Father Job was pastor at St. Simon the Apostle.  He died in 1952. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219470534/joseph-anthony-job)

Father Joseph Petro would succeed Father Job, previously pastor of the Slovak parish of St. John the Baptist in South Chicago, since 1949.  During his tenure, the convent at 2734 W 52 was expanded and a two story chool building was begun in 1961.  Father Daniel Romancik succeeded Father Petero in 1966.

St. Simon the Apostle was the first parish on the southwest side of chicago to form a Parish Council which included a school board and associated committees.  The parish celebrated their Golden Jubilee on October 24, 1976.

In 1977, Reverend John A. Petrik became pastor, returning to the parish of his youth.

 

Excerpted with permission from St. Simon the Apostle 50th Anniversary Jubilee Book. A large repository of Slovak and Slovak American archive materials are held in the cloister at Villa Sacred Heart , Danville, Pennsylvania. Viewing of the materials is allowed by advance reservations bu writing: Villa Sacred Heart, Jankola Library, Sister Mercedes Director, Danville, PA. (1)

Excerpted from:
A History of the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Editor: Rev. Msgr. Harry C. Koenig, S.T.D., Volumes One and Two, Published by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago , Illinois, 1980. (2)