Czech Spots - Saint Adalbert and Saint Paul Catholic Churches

Below is an excerpt from "The Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Chicago 1920" St. Mary’s Training School Press, Des Plaines, Illinois, 1920, Page 453. (Images below of Saint Paul from the same reference.)

"St. Paul's—Chicago, 1876

St. Paul's church, at 22nd Place and Hoyne Avenue (southwest corner), was founded by Rev. E. Weber in the year 1876. Father Weber found but forty families in 1876 to start with. As he was short of funds. he bought a stable and moved it to Hoyne Avenue. He also commenced a parochial school and added other small buildings for the immediate wants. Under his administration a parochial residence was erected at the cost of $6,000. This building is still in existence and is part of the Sisters' convent. He also started a new church, constructing a basement at an expense of $17,000 with the intention of adding the super- structure in due time. The basement served as a church and seated about 900 people. However, his successor tore down this basement and used the material for filling in the site of the present church. Father E. Weber was removed to another place of labor and was succeeded by Rev. G. D. Heldmann. March 1, 1888. Father Weldman worked enthusiastically and in 1892, built the school, large enough to accommodate easily 650 pupils and equipped it with all modern improvements, that even now it is up to date and satisfies all modern requirements. Father Heldmann joined the Precious Blood Order, was editor of the Messenger of Beteschafte and died January 16, 1916. Under his administration a rectory and society hall were built.

Financial conditions caused the removal of Father Heldmann in November, 1903. Father F. Rempe was appointed administrator to succeed Father Heldmann. Most Rev. J. E. Quigley turned over the parish to the Benedictine Fathers of St. Vincent Archabbey, Beatty, Westmoreland Co., Pa., on the eleventh day of February, 1904. Father Benno Standigl, O. S. B., was appointed rector and first prior of St. Paul's church, assisted by Rev. Ambrose Kohlbeck, O. S. B., and Rev. Lenord Schlim, 0. S. B., by the Rt. Rev. L. Schnerr, 0. S. B., Arch-abbot.

In 1910, a high altar of Carrara marble, designed by Architect Henry Schlacks and executed in Italy, was erected at a cost of $7,000. In 1912, also a communion railing of Carrara marble likewise designed by Mr. Schlacks, was set up at a cost of $2,100. Father Beune died November 23, 1913. He was succeeded as rector and prior by Very Rev. Leonard Schlim, 0. S. B., who had been assistant to him during all years of his pastorate in St. Paul's. In 1916, a marble floor at a cost of $7,200 was pllaced. Cost of school at that time about $40,000.

The corner-stone for the new church designed l)y Architect Henry .1. Schlacks, was laid in the year 1897.

School in charge of Franciscan Sisters from Greenfield Park, Milwaukee, Wis., for six years. 1883 to 1889. The school Sisters of Notre Dame from Milwaukee, Wisconsin succeeded, August 24, 1889. Mother Caroline sent six ladies and one candidate to conduct school. First superior of Sisters of Notre Dame was Ven. Sr. Antonine Glass, from 1889 to 1908 ; Ven. Sr. M. Rauner, from 1908 to 1912 ; Ven. Sr. Senrica Stemper from September, 1912 to January, 1913. Ven. Sr. Castula Kermann sent as teacher, September 28, 1892, and continuing here, was appointed superior January 1, 1913, and has continued as such to the present date. ……."

Below is an excerpt from "Illustrated Souvenir of the Archdiocese of Chicago, R.H. Fleming Publishing Company, Chicago, 1916,  Page 51.

"St. Paul’s Church Founded 1878

Although situated in the heart of a busy manufacturing district at Twenty-second Place and Hoyne Avenue, the Church of St. Paul (German) is a most imposing edifice and reflects great credit on the parishioners. The parish was organized in 1878, but the corner-stone of their beautiful church was not laid until 1897. and the building itself was not completed until 1899. The two stately towers, thirty-two feet square at their base, and rising to a height of 240 feet, are the pride of the neighborhood. The parish house, just back of the church, is constructed in the same style of architecture. The church school is also constructed on splendid lines and includes grammar, commercial and high school departments. It is attended by about 600 children, who are instructed by six- teen School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Very Reverend Leonard Sclilimm, O.S.B., is pastor; Reverend Augustine Minkel, O.S.B., Reverend Bonaventure Reithmeier, O.S.B., and Reverend Herbert Huettner, O.S.H., are assistants."