What follows is a re-creation of 150 years of history for the Catholic community of Highland Park. Starting with the first log cabin "church" built in 1846, and continuing up to the end of 1996, the narrative traces the parish's trials and triumphs through ten pastors, seven different church buildings, six locations, three name changes, two fires, and one tornado.

There are three sections to this re-creation. The first is a quick look at the historical background of what is known today as the Highland Park area. The second section provides a summary of the Church's activity in the area during the early years. And, finally, comes the third and longest section which focuses on the parish itself - its people, priests and buildings. This section begins with the period when the religious needs of the people were served by itinerant priests from neighboring communities, and then recaps the assignments of each of ten priests who were named resident Pastor for the parish.

There is little original writing in this compilation. Much of what is here was drawn from existing documents, books, booklets, pamphlets, and recollections. A partial listing of sources appears in the Appendix.

I am indebted to those individuals who took the time to read early drafts of this document and to offer suggestions and comments. I owe a special debt of gratitude to those individuals who contributed facts, family anecdotes, and personal recollections about the "way things were". It isn't feasible to try and list everyone, for fear of missing someone. But you know who you are, and I thank you.

I accept responsibility for any errors which may appear. All I can say is that I tried to tell the story of Immaculate Conception parish on its 150th anniversary as best I could. The individual who writes the book for the 175th anniversary has my permission to make any necessary corrections!

 Robert K. Powell

October, 1997

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The roots of Immaculate Conception parish stretch back to the mid-1800's when territory which now includes Highland Park was held by the Potowatomi Indians. The occupants of the area were Indians, and some white traders who were licensed by the government to operate within the region. On September 26, 1833, the U.S. government concluded a treaty with the Potowatomi (Treaty of Chicago) which included a tract of land along the shore of Lake Michigan north of the town of Kenilworth, plus all of Deerfield Township. The treaty was signed in Chicago which was then a settlement of some 350 people. According to the treaty, the Indian title was to expire February 21, 1835, with the Indians free to remain in the area until August, 1836. A contract for the first government survey of the area was issued November 21, 1836, which made land grants possible for the first time. There is some question as to the name of the first settler in the area; however John K. Clarke, better known as "Indian" Clarke, is regarded as the first permanent white trapper. Captain Daniel Wright, who lived on the Des Plaines River about 1834 or 1835, is reported to be the first white resident of the area. But in the region covered by Deerfield township, Michael Meahen was the first resident (1835), followed by Jacob Cadwell in the Spring of 1836. The first entry for land within the modern limits of Highland Park was made by John and Peter Fennerty in 1841 for an area bounded roughly by present day Green Bay Road on the west, Lake Michigan on the east, Elm Place (or Vine Avenue) on the north, and Lincoln Avenue on the south.

The Highland Park area was under the jurisdiction of many governments even before the treaty with the Potowatomi. At different times both French and British flags were flown over the area. At separate points it was part of a county of the State of Virginia, part of the Northwest Territory, and part of the Territory of Wisconsin. After Illinois won its statehood in 1818, the area went through a series of changes in County governments. First it was part of Peoria County, then Cook County, and then McHenry County. In 1839 McHenry County was divided into present day McHenry and Lake Counties. Finally, in 1850, Deerfield Township was created.

In 1846 the first Post Office in Deerfield Township was located in what is now west Lake Forest in Meahen's settlement, under the name of "Emmett". In 1849 the Post Office was moved to the village of St. John's, then to Port Clinton in 1850, and finally, in 1861, the Post Office was re-located to Highland Park where Louis Bacher was named the first Postmaster.

The first building in Highland Park is reported to have been the Lake Shore Rail Road depot which was completed a few days after the first Chicago-to-Milwaukee train was operated in December, 1854. One version credits T.B.M. Barnes with constructing the first building; it is said that he was the first railroad station agent, and that he was the proprietor of the first store in Highland Park. There is, however, some dispute over this claim. Another story has Samuel Lurch as the first station master, and Frank McGovern as the owner of the first store.

 By September, 1866, Highland Park was a small hamlet of 50 to 60 people who lived within a half mile radius of the railroad depot. The village consisted of a brick hotel, a small grocery store (owned by John Brock), a saloon and shoe shop (owned by John Cummins). There were two homes at the corner of Green Bay Road across the road from the Sheahen farm. On the north side of town travelers passed only two houses before arriving in the village of Port Clinton. There was no town of Highwood; there was nothing but woods from Highland Park to Lake Forest. The nearest meat market for Highland Park residents was five miles away in Lake Forest.

The name "Highland Park" was applied to a real estate development organized by the Highland Park Building Company, which was formed in 1867. The development was located 22 miles north of Chicago on the Milwaukee Division of the Northwestern Railroad. The building company laid out a plat covering the territory from Walker Avenue on the north, to the north side of Ravinia. One source indicates that the original plat covered over 1200 acres with nearly all of it lying between the railroad and Lake Michigan. It is said that the cost for the whole tract was $40 an acre. By 1874, eighty-five acres of the "poorest land" sold for $1000 an acre.

"Highland Park", the town, was given its name in 1855 by Walter Gurnee (a resident of Waukegan) who was one of the originators of the Chicago and North Western Railroad. At the time of incorporation in 1869 Highland Park consisted of some 600 inhabitants, approximately 50 houses, and a one-room schoolhouse in Port Clinton. The Highland Park Building Company then built another school and gave it to the town of Highland Park; the school opened in 1870. The one hotel in town was operated by Mr. Streeter. The Highland Park Brick Company was one of the local industries; it employed 40 to 50 men and could manufacture 50,000 bricks a day. The city was governed by a mayor (Frank Hawkins), and a City Council.

By 1874 population had increased to approximately 1500 persons. The Highland Park Building Association had disposed of about $200,000 worth of its land, and valued the balance of its holdings at about a half million dollars. Efforts to grow the area were so successful that Highland Park was the second largest suburban town on the north lake shore, according to one source. The town had many attractions for its residents. Town improvements included a pier which offered both business and entertainment potential, and a "...water works to bring water direct from the lake to every home in town". No "intoxicating liquor" was allowed to be sold in town. There were good schools and many churches. The Presbyterian church, under the care of Rev. E.L. Hurd, and the Baptist church, under the pastorship of Rev. George Wrenn, were both noted as having "...creditable houses of worship". It was also said that "...the Catholics, who include in their ranks many of the American residents in the suburb, also worship in a sacred edifice of their own".

The availability of railroad transportation, housing, stores, schools and churches, meant that Highland Park was well on its way to becoming a comfortable suburban community. Families continued to move into the area in order to provide a secure life for their children. Many of the men of the town spent a large part of their day commuting by rail to jobs in downtown Chicago. The population of Highland Park continued to grow, rising from 2,163 in 1880, to 2,806 (1900), to 6,167 (1920), 14,476 (1940), and to 25,532 (1960). In 1970 the population of Highland Park reached its all-time high of 32,263. The latest census (1990) credits the town with 30,575 residents.

Highland Park has come a long way from the days of the early settlers who had to scramble to make a life for themselves and their families in an undeveloped wilderness.

BACKGROUND OF CHURCH ACTIVITY

Even before the departure of the Indians in 1836 there may have been Catholic activity in the Highland Park area. In 1673-74 the French explorers Joliet and Marquette passed up and down the lake shore. However, there is no description of the Highland Park area found in their journals.

During the time when the Indians lived in the area, the church sent missionaries down from Canada. When the area became a U.S. territory, it became part of the See of Baltimore. In 1810 it became part of the Diocese of Bardstown, Kentucky, which at that time embraced all of the lands in the Western wilderness.

The head of the Bardstown Diocese, Bishop Flaget, did not have enough priests to cover the vast territory under his jurisdiction. So it wasn't until 1833 that the first regular priest, Father John St. Cyr, was sent to Chicago by Bishop Rosati of St. Louis, Vicar-General of the Bardstown Diocese for the Illinois area.

The Diocese of Vincennes, Indiana, came into existence in 1834 and covered much of the eastern part of Illinois. The new Bishop of Vincennes, Bishop Brute, was advised by his predecessor Bishop Rosati of the urgent need for more priests in the Chicago area; he quickly responded. Among the first priests sent from Vincennes were Father Timothy O'Meara and Father Plunkett. Father O'Meara relieved Father St. Cyr who returned to the Diocese of St. Louis. Father Plunkett was sent to Joliet where he died two years later. After Father Plunkett's death, Father Gueguen was assigned to Joliet. In 1842 Father Gueguen was put in charge of Little Fort (Waukegan) in Lake County "...with headquarters on the Corduroy (Waukegan) Road". He also took care of McHenry, Kane and DeKalb Counties until being recalled to Vincennes after the Archdiocese of Chicago was established in 1843, and after the arrival of its first leader, Bishop William Quarter, in 1844.

In the ten-year period between the arrival of Father St. Cyr in 1833 and the establishment of the Diocese of Chicago in 1843, Chicago grew from a population of 350 to over 10,000. Many people came into the area during the mid-1830's to work on the Illinois-Michigan Canal. The canal, which was built between 1836-1848, was designed to improve transportation between Lake Michigan (Chicago), and the Illinois River (at LaSalle, Illinois). Many workers on the canal were recent arrivals from Ireland. Irish immigration rose dramatically because of the failure of the potato crop in Ireland in 1848-49, and the resulting famine in Ireland. In the U.S. the Panic of 1837, (a financial crises which caused a nationwide depression), coupled with the completion of the canal in 1848, led many people to move out of Chicago and to seek areas where they could farm for their livelihood. Families moved north from Chicago into Lake County where public land was sold to the earliest settlers for a minimum of $1.25 an acre. Irish and German families moved into that part of Deerfield Township that is now Highland Park. They began to arrive around 1836, and the first land entries began in 1841.

THE PARISH: PEOPLE, PRIESTS AND BUILDINGS

During the years 1835 - 1846 Catholic settlers in the Highland Park area were served by an itinerant priest three or four times a year; services were usually held in local farmhouses. One of the priests may have been Father St. Cyr, Chicago's first resident priest, who was alone in Chicago from 1833 to 1837. Father O'Meara, his successor in Chicago, also took care of the Catholics in Lake County. The next priest in Chicago, Father Saint Palais and his assistant, Father Francis Fischer, visited Lake County Catholics regularly.

The first pastor at St. Joseph in Grosse Point (Wilmette), the earliest Catholic church north of Chicago, was Father H. Platte who was appointed in December, 1845. For many years (approximately 1846 to 1874), St. Joseph took care of Highland Park as a mission church. According to local history, the first services held in Highland Park by a priest from Grosse Point were conducted in 1845 in the home of Martin Leonard (or Lennartz) located near what is now the corner of Green Bay Road and Roger Williams Avenue. Services alternated between the Leonard home and the home of Daniel McAdams, located near what is now the Sunset Golf Course.

In 1846 approximately 30 Catholic families in the area decided to build a meeting place for their services. They used a temporary site provided by John Recktenwald, which was located just west of the railroad tracks and north of the current street known as Highland Place. Using oak logs cut in the surrounding forest they built a roofless enclosure of four walls, twenty-eight feet wide by thirty feet long, and ten feet high. James Mooney, Andre Xavier Loesch, and Sebastian Stipe were among the early settlers who helped in the construction. Thus, 1846 marks the beginning of what today is called the Immaculate Conception parish of Highland Park. (Andre Xavier Loesch, and his wife Catherine, immigrated from Luxembourg to Chicago in 1840. The swampy and sandy soil they found in the Chicago area was not to their liking, so they moved northward into Lake County. On August 10, 1864, the Loesch's paid $600 for 160 acres of land in Port Clinton. There they raised four sons and two daughters. All four sons - Peter, Frank, John and Henry - served in the Civil War; all returned home safely. One of the daughters, Mary, married into the Recktenwald family; the other daughter, Margaret, married into the Powell family. The six children of Andre and Catherine formed the start of the Loesch family tree whose descendants are still present in the area, as are members of both the Mooney and Stipe families.)

The Catholic families made their next move to property legally identified as part of Section 26 Township 43 North Range 12. The original abstract describes 120 acres sold to John Macready on March 1, 1846. Macready then sold the acreage to John Recktenwald on August 15, 1846. Three years after John Recktenwald's death his widow Elizabeth (now married to Mr. Ghum - or, Gochum - two different spellings on the abstract) sold four acres of the 120 acres on April 11, 1853, for $12 to "Right Reverend James Oliver Vande Velde of Chicago: Catholick Bishop for the use of a Catholick Church and to their successors to be converted to no other use but a church".

Shortly after the land was acquired, the original roofless four-sided structure near Highland Place was dismantled and then re-built on the new four-acre location on the west side of Green Bay Road, just south of Lincoln Avenue. The property was located in what is now the 1200 block of Green Bay Road. The original open structure was improved with sided gables, a pointed shingle roof, and a floor and ceiling of common dressed lumber. Two crude windows on each side were fitted with six-pane sashes, and a small wooden cross was added to the apex of the roof at the north end. A low door on the north side was the only entrance.

( There is some confusion as to whether the original roofless structure at Highland Place was, in fact, ever moved to the new location. In 1920 parishioner Evva Egan Truax asked older members of the community about the event, and many vouched for the move. In addition, a newspaper article appeared in a Chicago newspaper in May, 1897, which repeated the story of the move. The relocation is generally accepted as true.)

The newly relocated church on Green Bay Road was dedicated as "St. Mary of the Woods" on August 15, 1853. (Some photographs exist of an old log cabin which fits the general description of the re-located church. The building in these photos is identified variously as "Marquette Church", or, as "the first Catholic church in Highland Park".) At the dedication a hugh cross hewn from great black walnut logs (25 - 30 feet high) was blessed and set into position in front of the church at the far end of the church burial ground. The cross had been hauled by oxen from Grosse Point and was erected and blessed by Father Weyinger and Father Henry Fortman of St. Joseph. In the following years St. Mary of the Woods, and its heroic cross, stood as landmarks on the Military Road (i.e., Green Bay Road) leading to Chicago.

An article in the Chicago Tribune of June 2, 1901, provides another version of the origin of the large cross. To quote from the article...

"This Highland Park 'Acre of God' owes its double sanctity in the eyes of the believers to the firmly held tradition that on this spot Pere Marquette once planted a cross and preached to the Indians. Certain it is that the first white Catholics to visit Lake County found there on the site of St. Mary's Cemetery a towering cross of wood which the Indians said had been placed there by them at the behest of a 'Black Gown'. The Indians also said that the cross they put up replaced an older and decaying one which had stood there from the days of their forefathers. The earliest settlers of the Catholic faith in Lake County cut another cross from hugh oak logs and planted it where the one erected by the Indians had stood and which was falling to pieces. The wood for this cross was cut in 1836, and it was less than ten years ago that the great emblem fell to the ground. The wood was cut on some land belonging to Francis Gallagher...")

The Green Bay Road location, still a mission church called St. Mary of the Woods, was serviced by priests from St. Joseph in Grosse Point. Rev. J.H. Fortman covered the area from 1847 - 1852. From 1852 - 1855 Rev. Nicholas Stauber conducted the services. He was followed by Rev. A. Kopp (1855 -1860); Rev. F. Blaeringon (1861 - 1865); and Rev. B. Heskeman (1865 - 1872). Rev. Netstraeter from Gross Point conducted services every second Sunday up to October, 1874, at which point Rev. Carl Backus from Waukegan took over. Fr. Netstraeter said Mass in St. Mary of the Woods only once during 1872. The first marriage to take place in the church was between Nicholas Recktenwald and Mary Loesch on July 5, 1853. The last marriage was conducted on October 8, 1871, between Michael McCaffrey and Bridget Garrity. The little log cabin on Green Bay Road served as the Catholic Church for Highland Park from 1853 to 1872.

During 1872 a new frame church was erected on a piece of land given the previous year to the Bishop of Chicago by the Highland Park Building Company. The land, located on the south side of Laurel Avenue just east of McGovern Street, was given "...to encourage Catholics to settle in Highland Park". The new church was given the name "St. Mary".

After the opening of St. Mary on Laurel Avenue, the old log cabin church on Green Bay Road fell into dis-use. An article in the Chicago Tribune on March 3, 1894, described the effects of a winter snow storm on the old building:

" The oldest Roman Catholic house of worship in Northern Illinois, Old St. Mary's (ed. note: St. Mary of the Woods) in Lake County, was crushed and destroyed last night by the weight of rain-soaked snow that had accumulated on its roof. The church, which was built in 1837 (ed. note: 1853), was situated in the Catholic burying ground one mile south of Highland Park. It was one of  the most interesting structures in the vicinity of Chicago. It was built out of massive rough logs and at the time of its erection sheltered at Sunday Mass a congregation much larger than that which gathered for a similar service in Chicago." The last remains of the old log church slowly rotted away and all signs of the historic building disappeared.

The new St. Mary on Laurel Avenue now became the focal point for Catholic life in the area. Responsibility for serving the congregation was moved from the pastor at Grosse Point and given to the pastor of St. Joseph in Waukegan. Father Carl Backus from St. Joseph became the regular priest for Highland Park. He came to St. Mary each Sunday to offer one Mass. Parish archives contain records kept by Father Backus in which he recorded the growth of the parish from 1874 to 1891. In those seventeen years there were over 400 baptisms - the first three being children of well known families: John Francis Hoffman, Elizabeth Mary Zimmer, and Louisa Finney. Father Backus recorded three confirmation classes during those years - 1878, 1881 and 1885. Sixty-four marriages and 60 deaths were recorded in those 17 years. The children of St. Mary attended Sunday school conducted by John Finney, one of the parishioners. Mr. Finney's daughter Mabel, who later became a Sister of Providence, directed the children's choir.

St. Mary was an active and growing parish when disaster struck. Early one April morning in 1890 the only tornado ever to touch down in Highland Park (up to that time) totally demolished the little frame church on Laurel Avenue. The people rallied, however, and quickly made plans to re-build their house of worship. During the re-building period, Father Backus conducted services in the Rioux carpentry shop on Vine Avenue near Sheridan Road.

It was decided to re-build St. Mary as a new brick building at the same intersection of Laurel Avenue and McGovern Street, just slightly west of where the frame church had stood. The bell and organ from the frame church were the only items usable in the re-building process. The first Mass in the new brick church was said on Sunday, February 22, 1891. On that same day Patrick Sheahen, who had worked the previous day placing pews in the new church, died of a heart attack. The first funeral in the new brick church of St. Mary on Laurel Avenue was for Mr. Sheahen. (Patrick Sheahen was the founder of the Sheahen family which is still active in Highland Park in 1996. Patrick was born in County Limerick, Ireland; he was still a child when the great potato famine hit Ireland in 1848-49, which led to a wave of Irish immigrants into the U.S. He was twenty-three years old when he arrived in this area in 1859. He went to work for Daniel McAdams who had arrived in the area fifteen years earlier. This is the same McAdams family who supplied one of the homes where Mass was conducted by circuit-riding priests during the mid-1840's. Mr. McAdams also was one of the early settlers who helped haul logs and build the original St. Mary of the Woods church. Patrick Sheahen married one of McAdam's five daughters and, when McAdams died in 1863, Patrick inherited the family farm. The Sheahen farm, which once was the pasture for a prize herd of Jersey cattle, is today a baseball diamond in Sunset Park.Golfers now play on what was a hay field for the farm. And what was once referred to as "Sheahen's Slough" is now the site of the Birchwood Club.)

The Catholic population of Highland Park grew so much under Father Backus that Archbishop Feehan decided to appoint a resident pastor. Father John C. Madden, pastor of St. Mary church in Lake Forest, received the appointment in June, 1893, as the first resident Pastor of St. Mary of Highland Park.

PASTOR: REVEREND JOHN C. MADDEN (1893 - 1902)

Father Madden was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1830. Following his education at the ecclesiastical college of Maynooth, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1854. In approximately 1874 he came to America where he served as Pastor of St. Paul church in Athens, Ohio, and of St. Patrick church in Columbus, Ohio. At the invitation of his fellow student at Maynooth, Archbishop Feehan of Chicago, Father Madden associated himself with the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1883. He then served as Pastor of St. Patrick in Saint Charles, and of St. Mary in Lake Forest, before coming to St. Mary in Highland Park in 1893.

It is difficult to capture the life of the parish during Father Madden's tenure because few records are available. It appears that the Sunday school was large enough in 1895 to require the services of four lay teachers: J. Kollar, Mamie Duffy, Ella Dugan, and Dillie Nevins. The records also indicate that on October 7, 1897, Archbishop Feehan confirmed approximately 100 children of the parish.

The annual picnic of 1897 was held on a cool day in August at the lake front park. According to a report in the Highland Park News: "As usual it was a complete success; there was a big crowd and the dancing platform was full all the time. The low standing of the thermometer interfered with the sale of lemonade."

In 1899 St. Mary was redecorated and called by the Highland Park paper "...the most beautiful church in the city". The paper added the following details: "The finish is in orange and red relieved by frescoings of gold and other colors. On various parts of the walls are artistic paintings of the open Bible, the Holy Eucharist, the Cross, and other symbols of Catholic worship. In the front are beautiful white altars, while overhead the dove descends from a blue star-lit sky with the Holy Spirit."

During Father Madden's pastorate Charles M. Schneider, who opened a jewelry business on Sheridan Road in 1898, was director of the church choir. To raise funds for a new organ in 1899, Mr. Schneider arranged "a literary and musical entertainment" to be given at McDonald Hall. Mr. Schneider directed the program of songs and recitations. The Highland Park paper commented that "to his efforts is largely due the success of the concert, which was in all respects a financial and artistic success".

In July 1900 Father John Madden took a trip to Ireland and left a namesake (not a relative) in charge of St. Mary. Father Jerry Madden, a friend of the Pastor, had often visited Highland Park, and had assisted Father John from time to time. People usually distinguished the two by calling the Pastor "the old Father Madden", and his substitute "the young Father Madden".

After "old Father Madden" returned from Ireland in 1901, his health began to fail, and in early 1902 he went to Hot Springs to recuperate. During his absence from the parish a young priest, Father Joseph Kiely, acted as Pastor. Father Madden returned in late1902 and Father Kiely continued to assist in the parish. In August 1902 Father John J. Morrisey replaced Father Kiely as assistant to the ailing Father Madden. Six weeks after coming to St. Mary, Father Morrisey had the sad duty of informing parishioners that Father Madden had died at 12:30 PM on the last day of September. Funeral services were held from St. Mary on Thursday morning, October 2, 1902; internment was at Calvary Cemetery.

PASTOR: REVEREND JOHN J. MORRISEY (1902 - 1907)

After Father Madden's death, Father Morrisey carried on as Administrator of the parish. His appointment as Pastor was made by Bishop Muldoon, Administrator of the Chicago Archdiocese during the interval between the death of Archbishop Feehan and the appointment of Archbishop Quigley. Father Morrisey, the second resident Pastor of St. Mary, served for the next five and a half years.

Father Morrisey was born in Rockford, Illinois, on May 28, 1865. After attending the public schools in Rockford, he took his classical studies at St. Viator College, Bourbonnais, Illinois; two years of philosophical studies at St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland; and four years of theology at Niagara University, Niagara, New York. He was ordained on May 30, 1890, at the chapel of the convent of the Madames of the Sacred Heart at the corner of State Street and Chicago Avenue in Chicago.

In May 1903 disaster again hit the Catholic families of Highland Park. Their new brick church at the corner of Laurel and McGovern was destroyed by fire. And again the parishioners set themselves the task of re-building, this time using what remained of the walls of the burned out church as a starting point. During the construction process, Father Morrisey held services in Goldberg's Hall, which was located on the north side of Central Avenue between First and Second Streets.

Father Morrisey had many plans for his flock. He hoped to provide the parish with its first school and he used the phrase "Let our watchword now be 'St. Mary's School and Hall' " as his rallying cry. In the period between 1904 and 1908 the Parish was an active community focused on organizations such as The Knights of Father Matthew, the Children of Mary Sodality, the Young Ladies Sodality, the Altar and Rosary Society, the St. Aloysius Sodality, St. John's Court of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Lady Foresters, a sewing circle, and the Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association. In the financial statement of the Parish for 1906, which was signed by Trustees Edward F. Carey and Sebastian Stipe, Father Morrisey reported a total income of $4,229.48.

PASTOR: DR. JAMES D. O'NEILL (1908 - 1945)

On April 25,1908, St. Mary welcomed its third resident Pastor. Archbishop Quigley appointed Dr. James D. O'Neill to succeed Father Morrisey (who became Pastor at St. Finbarr in Chicago). Father O'Neill was born in Milwaukee on May 1, 1868. After attending Saint John Cathedral School, he entered Marquette College where, in 1887, he was a member of the first graduating class. He then attended Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was a member of the class of 1892. After his ordination he taught moral theology at St. Mary for twelve years; he was also a contributor to the Catholic Encyclopedia. On his return to Chicago he became chaplain of the Sacred Heart Convent in Lake Forest. For a short time he was also the spiritual director of Cathedral College, the Archdiocese preparatory seminary.

On May 1, 1908, Dr. O'Neill arrived in Highland Park and on the following Sunday he introduced himself to the Parish. He remained as Pastor for the next 37 years. Dr. O'Neill set to work immediately. In his first month as Pastor he signed contracts with L. N. Berube for an addition to the parish residence at the corner of Laurel and McGovern. At the Masses on Sunday, May 24, Rev. J.R. Rosswinkle, S.J., spoke on the aims and advantages of a well-organized Tabernacle Society, and that same afternoon a meeting was held at which membership of the St. Mary Parish Tabernacle Society jumped from 40 to 140 members. To encourage membership, the Pastor agreed to offer one Mass each month for all the active members of the group.

On July 28th, the first Sunday School picnic was held on the grounds of St. Mary Academy in Libertyville for 140 children, and many adults. The picnic marked a revival of interest in the parish's Sunday school program. Between May 1 and December 31, 1908, attendance increased from 70 to 190 children; the number of teachers from 5 to 15. Each Sunday Dr. O'Neill gave his personal attention to the Sunday school.

After the last Mass on Sunday, August 18, 1908, a meeting was held for the men of the parish. The Pastor and Father Johnson, a Jesuit, encouraged the men to form an organization of their own. At a meeting later in the old Library Hall, 52 men began the organizational work.

In September, 1909, Dr. O'Neill conducted a mission in the Town Hall of Highwood for those families who lived too far north to come conveniently to the Highland Park church on Laurel Avenue. Father McNulty, SJ, led the exercises and celebrated Mass each morning in Highwood. (The 1900's witnessed a rapid rise in the Italian population of Highwood. The new arrivals joined the Swedish, Irish and German families who were already in the area. Many Italian families came from the coal fields of Colorado, Alabama and downstate Illinois. And some came from Chicago in response to reports that there were good jobs available in the new suburban communities as laborers, craftsmen, and servants. The growth of the Italian presence is reflected in student enrollment at Oak Terrace School where, in 1923, there were no children with Italian surnames. By 1927, the number had grown to 41%; and by 1939, 66% of the students had Italian surnames. The names of Ori, Mordini, Santi, Piacenza, Fiori, Viti, Pasquesi, Menoni, Mocogni, along with many others, began to make their marks on the life of the area.)

In October Dr. O'Neill conducted a two-week mission at St. Mary for the people of Highland Park.

In November, 1908, Dr. O'Neill presented Rev. Dr. Cotter of Los Angeles in a lecture on Catholic education.The practice of having qualified speakers presenting topics of interest was continued for some time. Among those whom Dr. O'Neill engaged were Monsignor Shahan, Rector of Catholic University, and Bishop Muldoon of Rockford.

All of the foregoing activities attest to the zeal and energy of Dr. O'Neill during his first year at St. Mary.

Less than a year after coming to Highland Park, Dr. O'Neill began to plan for a parish school. He purchased four lots on Green Bay Road between Homewood and Glenview Avenues and, in 1910, broke ground for a new school building. Dr. O'Neill turned the first spade of earth, and the men of the parish formed teams to help carry out the project. The following August Archbishop Quigley visited Highland Park for a confirmation exercise. While in Highland Park he decided to change the location of the new school from Green Bay Road and Homewood Avenue, to Green Bay Road and Deerfield Road. Accordingly, the church sold the property on Glenview (where excavating for the foundation had been completed) to the Menoni family.

When the parish learned about the relocation of the school, Richard Dean and D.F. Kelly approached Dr. O'Neill with a plan which called for laymen of the parish to solicit funds for a new school building. In April, 1912, the Pastor turned over the first shovel of ground at the Deerfield Road location, and in May construction was begun. The building was a two-story structure with a parish hall on the first floor, and classrooms on the second floor. On September 8, 1912, Archbishop Quigley dedicated the new building as the "School of the Immaculate Conception"...the first use of the name "Immaculate Conception" within St.Mary parish. On the day following the dedication the Pastor celebrated the Mass of the Holy Ghost for the 160 students of the school who were under the direction of the Sisters of Loretto. 

(When Dr. O'Neill, was developing his plans for a parish school in 1910, he contacted a number of orders with a view to obtaining teachers. He selected the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross, an American community founded in 1812 by Rev. Charles Nerinckx at Hardin's Creek, Kentucky. A few days before school opened in September, 1912, five sisters arrived to begin their work. Sister Mary Urban was the Superior who oversaw the process. A house at 116 South Green Bay Road was rented to act as a convent for the Sisters. The group remained in this location for their first two years at St. Mary. A new convent was prepared for occupancy on Thanksgiving Day, 1914. And on January 4, 1915, the first Mass was offered in the Sisters' own chapel.

When St. James in Highwood opened a school in 1925, and when Holy Cross in Deerfield opened in 1937, the Sisters of Loretto were engaged to staff both locations. The teachers lived in the convent in Highland Park and were transported daily to their schools.)

In June, 1913, Dr. O'Neill conducted commencement exercises for the 15 children in the first graduation class. The fifteen grammar school graduates were: John O'Brien, John Hart, Howard Murphy, Alex Rafferty, Harold Hart, Theodore Kopp, Edward Ohlwein, Edward Patton, James Genty, Martin Muzik, Helen Hart, Marie Van Hoeson, Dorothy Burke, Marjorie Ralph, and Esther Morren. 

(Alex Rafferty, Jr., listed as a June 1913, graduate, was the son of Alex Sr., who acted as driver for Dr. O'Neill when the Pastor made his round of sick calls. Alex Sr. was maintenance man for the church for several years before he became Superintendent of Streets for the City of Highland Park.)

In September, 1913, Dr. O'Neill began a high school. Because there were no class rooms available, the parish hall on the first floor was used for the 15 high school pupils who registered for the 1913-14 school year. In the summer of 1914 a third story was added to the building which provided six class rooms for the high school in its second year.

It was during the fourth year of the grammar school, and the third year of the high school, that disaster again fell upon the parish. Dr. O'Neill described the event in his journal:

"March 10, 1916. At midnight fire was discovered in the southwest corner of the third story of our school building by George Clark. He aroused Dr. O'Neill, who reached the building in a few minutes. Everything pointed to incendiarism. The fire department responded. The city furnished two lines of hose. Of these, one was useless. As soon as the firemen commenced operations, it was clear that the building would be in ruins. In three hours the building was in ruins."

Although the school had been completely destroyed on Saturday, classes were resumed the following Monday morning in temporary quarters found in the drill hall of the old Northwestern Military Academy at the corner of South St. Johns and Ravine Drive. At a meeting of the men of the parish on the day after the fire, $11,000 was subscribed toward a new school. Two days later Cardinal Mundelein visited Highland Park and recommended that a combination church and school be erected. Work on the new building began on March 31, 1916.

While the new church/school was being constructed during the Summer of 1916, work was also started on a new rectory at the southwest corner of Green Bay Road and Deerfield Road.

The formal opening of the new church/school in September, 1916, was marked by talks by Mayor Hastings, Richmond Dean, D.F. Kelly and Dr. O'Neill. The new structure contained a temporary church on the first floor, and two floors of classrooms in the upper floors. With the dedication of the church in November, 1916, by Archbishop Mundelein, the name of the parish was changed from "St. Mary Parish" to "Immaculate Conception Parish".

At this point the former church on Laurel Avenue was sold. In later years the building was used as the Elk's Hall. The building was finally demolished in 1993-94 and the site was cleared for construction of condominiums.

The church in the school building was intended only for temporary use. Dr. O'Neill hoped to build a new, free-standing, church building, and to convert the temporary church into a parish hall. He planned to erect a new church between the rectory and the convent along the west side of Green Bay Road. However, the outbreak of World War II delayed his plans. He was never able to complete his vision of a new church for Immaculate Conception because of the war and his ill health.

In retrospect, Dr. O'Neill was a remarkable man. He left his mark on the parish in many ways.

He focused his energy on education of the children in the parish. He constructed a grammar school, and initiated a high school program ("...the first Catholic high school in Lake County!"). It was a great disappointment to Dr. O'Neill that the high school didn't survive. The seniors who finished in June, 1929, were the last students at Immaculate Conception High School. At the end of each school year the pastor treated students to a picnic at Techny. And at Christmas time "...we all went downstairs in the church and Dr. O'Neill gave each and every one of us a little box of hard candy and a holy card".

Dr. O'Neill was instrumental in taking the "Good News" of the Gospel to the borders of the parish by establishing mission priests in the far north and far west sections. In April, 1909, Rev. Thomas F. Quinn was appointed to establish a parish in Deerfield. In 1910 Dr. O'Neill started Sunday Mass in the town hall in Highwood. In 1910 a church was built and Father Magner became the first resident pastor of Highwood.

Dr. O'Neill also solved a situation created far before his time as Pastor. The problem dated back to the days of the old log church on Green Bay Road...built on the property purchased from the Recktenwald family. Early Catholics had buried their dead on the site of the old church. After the church was abandoned in 1872 Catholics continued to use the property as a cemetery. Over the years property taxes were neglected, and the four acres containing the gravesites were finally sold. In 1899 the new owner, with title in hand, refused to grant further burials, and also demanded the removal of all the bodies interred there. At that point, parishioner John Mooney moved the members of his family, who were buried in the old location, to land he owned west of town on north Ridge Road. Some of Mr. Mooney's friends also moved their family graves to the Mooney property. Mr. Mooney eventually had his land on Ridge Road surveyed, laid out for cemetery lots, and in 1908 he deeded the property to the Bishop of Chicago for use as a Catholic cemetery. When graves were moved from the old churchyard on Green Bay Road to the new Mooney cemetery on Ridge Road, some of the original tombstones were also moved...which accounts for the ancient look of some markers along the west side of the present St. Mary (Mooney) cemetery.

In 1909, when Mr. Kirchberger, who now owned the old cemetery property on Green Bay Road, wanted to build there, he found approximately 24 graves still on the premises. He wrote to Dr. O'Neill asking him to have the graves removed. After an exchange of correspondence between Mr. Kirchberger and Dr. O'Neill, it was agreed that Mr. Kirchberger would purchase a lot in St. Mary cemetery and bear any expenses incurred in the re-burying of the bodies. Unfortunately, not all of the bodies were removed from the original site. Later, when workmen were excavating for building foundations on Mr. Kirchberger's property, many unmarked graves were uncovered. As late as the mid-1980's observers reported that it was possible to see the outlines of gravesites in what is now the front yard of the residence in the 1200 block of Green Bay Road.

In addition to all the positive things which Dr. O'Neill contributed to the parish, he was also known for his eccentric habits. His pet dog had the run of the rectory, the school, the church, and even the altar...to the dismay of some parishioners. There are many anecdotes about "Doc" O'Neill still circulating (in 1996) among older members of the parish. Some stories are humorous...some are tragic...some are bitter...some reflect the fear that he caused among the children...and many are difficult to understand by 1996 standards for pastoral behavior. "Doc" O'Neill inspired either great love and devotion, or equally great animosity. Those whom he affected in a positive way gained much from him; those whom he affected negatively usually left the parish. In spite of his education, intelligence, and accomplishments, his 37 years at Immaculate Conception were difficult years for the parish.

The summer of 1945 found Dr. O'Neill in ill health. On August 11 he summoned Father Loughry from St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville to administer the last Sacraments . Three days later, August 14, 1945, at 9:30 PM, Dr. O'Neill died. The funeral was held at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Sam Bernardi as celebrant. Archbishop Kiley of Milwaukee was present; Archbishop Stritch presided and preached the sermon. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Milwaukee.

PASTOR: MONSIGNOR JOSEPH P. MORRISON (1945 - 1957)

On August 20, 1945, six days after the death of Dr. O'Neill, Monsignor Joseph P. Morrison, Rector of Holy Name Cathedral, was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish at his own request. Msgr. Morrison was born in St. Vincent parish, Chicago, on January 24, 1894, and attended the parish school. He studied at Saint Pe-de-Bigorre in France. In 1911 he completed his preparatory studies at St. Meinrad College. He studied at St. Bernard Theological Seminary in Rochester, New York; completed his theology at St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, and in the Sulpican Seminary at the Catholic University. Cardinal Mundelein ordained him in Holy Name Cathedral on September 21, 1918. As a Curate he served at St. Patrick in Joliet, and at St. Andrew in Chicago. He was then appointed to Holy Name Cathedral where he remained for twenty-two years - four years as Curate, four years as Administrator, and fourteen years as Rector and Pastor.

He moved into the rectory at Green Bay and Deerfield Road ten days after his appointment as Pastor, and assumed leadership of his new flock. He faced the formidable task of re-uniting Immaculate Conception into a cohesive parish. While the welfare of children was a major concern of the new pastor, many out-reach activities were formed to help with the task of getting the parish back on track. A strong Christian Family Movement successfully involved many young couples. Visiting the sick, welcoming newcomers, providing meals for new mothers, forming a Parent's Guild - were just a few of the many activities which helped Immaculate Conception to re-gain its focus.

As soon as he arrived in 1945, Monsignor Morrison began the rejuvenation of the parish school which still occupied the top two floors of the combination church/school building which had been built in 1916. Some parishioners remember that the September opening of school was delayed a month while workmen worked on the third floor class rooms. Then, while the Sisters conducted classes on the third floor, the workmen moved to the second floor.

The new pastor then turned his attention to the church. New lights were installed, pews were re-arranged for maximum seating...everything was done to make the church more comfortable and the atmosphere more conducive to devotions.

Finally, the priest's house had to be made larger and refurbished to accommodate two new assistants. Father Edmund Skoner, a former Army chaplain, was the first to arrive in December, 1945. Less than nine months later, Father John P. O'Connell arrived as Monsignor's second assistant.

In order to create space to handle the increasing size of the parish population, Monsignor Morrison had the basement of the rectory remodeled into offices and cafeteria facilities. The offices were used by parish organizations as well as by the priests. The cafeteria served upward of 100 hot lunches to the school children each day.

When Monsignor Morrison came to Immaculate Conception in 1945 the parish property consisted of a plot 267 feet x 181 feet at the southwest corner of Green Bay Road and Deerfield Road. On November 26, 1946, one acre just west of the existing property was purchased from the Park District of Highland Park. The Park District also owned an additional five acres which were sought by IC. The voters of Highland Park approved the sale of the five acres, the land was offered at public auction, and acquired by the parish on May 20, 1947. With adequate land now available, Monsignor Morrison turned his attention to the building of a new church.

The growing population in the parish, however, began to tax the limits of the existing school facilities. So the pastor shifted his focus from a new church to the building of a new school. A school was built which contained six classrooms, offices, a kindergarten, cafeteria, and a combination auditorium/gymnasium. It was dedicated by Cardinal Stritch on September 21, 1954. Soon after, a room was added under the west end of the building.

Over the years, a total of five assistants helped Monsignor Morrison with the affairs of the parish. Father Skoner, the first assistant, was transferred in 1947, and Father O'Connell was moved in 1949. Father Donald Runkle joined the parish in 1948, and Father Bernard Burns joined in 1949. When Father Burns was transferred in 1955, Father Nicholas Carsello replaced him.

Monsignor Morrison died on August 14, 1957, exactly 12 years after the death of his predecessor, Dr. O'Neill. Father Runkle became Administrator of the Parish until he was transferred to St. Carthage upon the appointment in January, 1958, of Monsignor James V. Murphy as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.

PASTOR: MONSIGNOR JAMES V. MURPHY (1958 - 1971)

James V. Murphy was born July 7, 1901. He attended DePaul Academy and Quigley Preparatory Seminary before studying for the priesthood at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. After his ordination on March 28, 1925, he became Assistant Pastor of St. Sylvester in Chicago. In 1931 he served at Presentation Church in Chicago, and in 1935 moved to St. Odilo in Berwyn. Father Murphy then became Pastor at Holy Cross Church in Deerfield where he served from 1936 to 1950. While in Deerfield he built a school and a rectory for Holy Cross. He returned to Chicago in 1950 as Pastor of St. Carthage and served there until 1958. While at St. Carthage in 1953, he was named a "Monsignor". In January, 1958, he was appointed to succeed Monsignor Morrison as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.

Like Monsignor Morrison, Monsignor Murphy also had plans for a new church that were forced to wait while the more pressing demands for the school were solved. The six classrooms created in 1954, plus two floors of classrooms in the old building, were inadequate to meet the demands of a growing parish. The Pastor investigated various plans to try and make use of the original church/school structure which had been built in 1916 by Father O'Neill, and re-juvenated by Monsignor Morrison in 1945. But all of the alternate approaches proved too costly. As a result, the old building was abandoned as a school and a new twelve room addition was added to the six rooms built by Monsignor Morrison in 1954. This eighteen-room building became the IC school in 1958. Monsignor Murphy continued to hold church services on the first floor of the old building. (In the 1961-62 school year the grade school needed a fifth grade teacher to replace one who had left the staff. A young woman named Jane Byrne was hired for the opening. This same Jane Byrne was inaugurated Mayor of

Chicago on April 16, 1979. The young teacher is remembered by some of her students because of the stories she told about her experiences while working for the Kennedy presidential campaign of 1960, and about what it had been like to meet the candidate's sisters and the other famous Kennedys. One student, Betsy Karger Wilson, has vivid memories of Ms Byrne sitting on the edge of her desk as she told her Kennedy stories. Another student from those days, Jean FitzSimon, remembers Jane Byrne as being "very slender, wistful". However, neither Sister Eileen Kelly the principal of IC at the time, nor Monsignor Murphy, remembered that she had taught at the school.)

For years many of the parishioners of IC had dreamed of the day when they could have a new place to worship. The dream was important to the parish; no one recognized this more than Monsignor Murphy. In order to help make the dream come true, Monsignor Murphy promoted the age-old custom of tithing. The suggestion was accepted by enough members of the parish to substantially improve the parish financial picture.

When Monsignor Murphy arrived at IC in 1958 the parish debt was $400,000. The 12-room school addition cost $260,000. But this was just the beginning of unexpected costs. The next problem came late in 1962 when the ceiling of the old church started to fall. After a fire in the 1920's a metal ceiling had been put over the old plaster. Now some 40 years later the metal started to loosen and had to be braced from the floor in several places. This bracing reduced the already small seating capacity to the point where the church could no longer accommodate all the parishioners. On December 18, 1962, the men of the parish moved altars, pews and stations out of the old church and into the gymnasium of the school. The gym, and the school building, became the center of church activity for the next three and a half years. Sunday Mass was usually followed by coffee and socializing in the cafeteria

When Monsignor Murphy started planning for a new church structure in 1963 the parish debt was $313,000. This debt became even larger when it became necessary to purchase the convent from the Sisters of Loretto for $100,000. The convent had been owned by the Loretto community for almost 50 years.

In spite of these high expenses, the tithing system promoted by Monsignor Murphy and his assistants, Father Carsello and Father Angelo Garbin, helped to strengthen the financial picture. Monsignor Murphy was granted permission by the diocese to proceed with plans for a new church based upon his description of the parish's need for a new and larger church, and based upon the improved income brought into the parish through the tithing program.

Ground for the new church was broken in December, 1964. The cornerstone (containing, among other items, a complete parish census) was blessed on May 30, 1965. The first Mass was said on May 14, 1966.

The design of the new church attempted to respond to the liturgical changes flowing from the Second Vatican Council. The exterior of red brick and limestone is contemporary in style. It was designed to fit harmoniously with the terrain, the school, and the residential character of the neighborhood.. Only the area over the sanctuary was heightened; a simple spire and cross are atop the hexagonal structure. In the interior the Altar of Sacrifice is dominant. It is constructed of green Italian marble and stands on a three-step predella directly at the apex of the two apses. Over-lapping chalices form the legs of the Altar and symbolize the repeating of the Sacrifice of the Mass in the past, present, and future. (Current parishioners recall that installation of the altar was delayed because the completed altar was shipped in error to "Highland Park, Pennsylvania".) The Sanctuary is spacious; the crucifix on the rear wall is contemporary in design. The interior walls are of red face brick and limestone. Stained glass windows, one of the Risen Christ, the other of Our Lady, provide a soft, colorful setting for the interior of the church. The windows were designed and executed by Gabriel Loire, Chartes.

The building became Immaculate Conception's home with a solemn blessing by Archbishop Cody on April 30, 1967.

After serving as Pastor from 1958, Monsignor Murphy retired in 1971 at age 70. He continued to live in the rectory until July, 1974, when he became resident Chaplain (1971 - 1985) at the Villa St. Cyrl in Highland Park. He continued to take an active role in the life of IC parish until his death on December 16, 1985, at the age of eighty four.

PASTOR: REVEREND LAURENCE D. KELLY (1971 - 1984)

Father Laurence Kelly was appointed sixth Pastor of IC in August, 1971. He was born November 24, 1922, on the south side of Chicago and raised in the parishes of Our Lady of Peace and St. Bride. He was ordained in 1948 after schooling at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. Fr. Kelly spent 12 years as assistant priest at St. Matthew, while he was also assistant director of the Cana Conference. He spent six more years residing at St. Matthew while engaged in diocesan work as Chaplain to the Catholic Action Family movement, Young Christian Workers, and Young Christian Students - organizations which provided opportunities for active lay involvement and service. In 1960 Fr. Kelly was appointed Director of the diocesan Papal Volunteer Corps which led to extensive travel throughout Latin America. In 1969, at his own request, he returned to parish work. He was appointed associate pastor of St. Victor in Calumet City, and then, with the retirement of Msgr. Murphy, he became Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Highland Park while continuing to serve as a member of the Diocesan Clergy Personnel Board.

During the 13 years of Fr. Kelly's pastorate (from 1971 to 1984), IC had a number of associate pastors. Father Garbin came to IC in 1964 and was present when Fr. Kelly arrived; Fr. Garbin stayed until appointed Pastor at All Saints-St. Anthony in Chicago in March, 1974. Father John Eichelman ( who arrived in 1967) left the parish in December 1973. In 1974 Fr. Talarico and Fr. Hartnett were assigned to IC. Fr. Hartnett left in 1976; Fr. Talarico remained for five years until his re-assignment in 1979. In 1979 Fr. Jack Dewes was appointed associate and, in 1980, Fr. Edward J. Kelly also joined IC as an associate pastor.

The years 1976 through 1979 saw a series of one-year appointments designed to provide additional assistance to the parish. In 1976-1977 Fr. John Goode, a Redemptorist from Loyola, resided at IC. In 1977-1978 Fr. Eamon Hoey from the Diocese of Galway lived at the rectory while pursuing studies in Chicago. He was followed by Fr. Ned Crosby in 1978-1979.

Fr. Kelly also received additional help from young men studying at the seminary. Each of the following men were assigned to Immaculate Conception for approximately six months as part of their priestly training:

Kenneth Velo 1972

Robert Rizzo 1973

Charles Kuebler 1973

Thomas Lucas 1974

Timothy Kowalski 1975

Donald Kloak 1977

William Fischer 1978

Mr. Charles Kuebler, who lived and worked at IC during the summer of 1973, was an unusual young man. He is one of only a handful of men in the world to be ordained a priest even though blind. He and his dog "Orelle" were a familiar sight around IC during the summer of '73. It was said that the experience Mr. Kuebler gained working at IC was a strong influence on the Archbishop of Washington, D. C., who made the decision to accept him for Holy Orders. Fr. Kuebler was ordained September 27, 1975.

During Fr. Kelly's tenure as pastor, IC saw two of its parishioners accepted by Cardinal Cody as Permanent Deacons. Robert FitzSimon was ordained in May, 1974, and Thomas Bex in 1976. Both men were assigned to the parish staff with sacramental, liturgical and social responsibilities for the IC parish community.

Shortly after Fr. Kelly's arrival a survey was conducted among parishioners. The results of the study helped Fr. Kelly understand how parishioners felt about some of the concerns raised by Vatican II. The survey, called "Operation Listen", addressed five areas: (1) Authority in the Church; (2) Religious Education; (3) Attitudes towards Church teaching and practices; (4) Parish and community life; and, (5) Parish financing. Follow-up meetings were held on each topic and parishioners were given an opportunity to express their feelings.

The responses to the survey brought into focus three major areas of concern - parish finances, the parish school, and parish unity. It was decided to attack the financial problem first.

When Fr. Kelly arrived in mid-1971 parish finances were a cause for concern. While the financial report for the 1971/72 fiscal year showed a positive balance (with income of $332,884 and expenses of $321,864 - a surplus of $11,020), at the same time the parish was carrying a large debt created by the building of the new church. In January 1972 the debt was $639,958, and the parish began looking for ways to reduce the total.

In the spring of 1972 the parish conducted a Fund Drive. Professionals were brought in from the Archdiocese, Debt Retirement was the focus, captains and lieutenants were recruited, and the 3-year goal of $320,000 was nearly reached. A second drive was launched in the Fall of 1975. Again, Debt Retirement was the goal, and the drive stressed weekly Offertory increase. This drive was not as successful as the first. It was decided that a another fund raising idea was needed.

It arrived in 1974 with "Mardi Gras I". The idea had its beginnings in 1959 when the Parent's Guild of IC school put on a show called "Mop Heads of 1959". The show received good reviews from the community; and it gave frustrated thespians from Immaculate Conception an opportunity to showcase their talents. At the same time, IC parishioners became aware of fund-raising performances being used by other parishes in the area. So the idea of a major fund-raiser for IC based on a Mardi Gras theme was born. The first Mardi Gras took place in February, 1974, with Colette Berardi and Harold Freberg as co-chairs. Over 400 people became involved in the production, and over 2,300 customers came to see skits like the "Carousel Follies", "Hootch's Hideaway", and the "Johnny Carton Show". The net income from Mardi Gras I was $12,000.

Mardi Gras became the focal point for the parish's fund-raising efforts for the next several years. Mardi Gras II occurred in early 1975 with Ray and Jan Bertram as co-chairs. There were eight show rooms which attracted large crowds of theater goers; net income was $29,700 (which included a gift of $2,500 to IC's "twining parish", St. Charles Lwanga in Chicago.)

Mardi Gras III appeared in February, 1976, with Gabe and Jeanine Viti as co-chairs. Net income was estimated at $35,000. Mardi Gras IV ran in February, 1977; co-chairs were Al Metzger, Donna Falzone and Nancy Pasquesi. Net income - $31,000. Mardi Gras V, in February, 1978, was co-chaired by Leo DeRocco and Donna Falzone. Net income - $29,000. Mardi Gras VI, (1979) Denis and Suzanne Hart, and Tom and Mary Smith - net income, $24,300. Mardi Gras VII, (1980) Tom and Mary Smith - net income, $25,000. Mardi Gras VIII, (1981) Jim and Kathy Wilmot, and John and Sandi Werderman.

Mardi Gras IX in 1982 tried a new approach...a dinner/theater concept. In February,1982, under the co-chairmanship of Larry and Peg Sassorossi, and Bob and Bernadette Kludy, an original play written by Fr. Jack Dewes, Rick Nolan and Cy Race, "The Day After Tomorrow", was presented. The new dinner/theater idea was well accepted by audiences. Net income for the 1982 performance was $16,000. Mardi Gras X, in 1983, repeated the dinner/theater format with a production of "Finian's Rainbow", under chairman Jerry Muzik. In 1984, Mardi Gras XI brought back the original concept of Las Vegas-style showrooms. Chairmen, for what turned out to be the last Mardi Gras, were Roger Grabowski, Bob Vanesco, and John Trulson. The show netted $18,000.

All the fund raisers were successful in involving hundreds of parishioners in a large-scale community activity. And, in eleven years, almost $200,000 in revenue was generated for the parish. All of this parish activity - the two fund drives, Mardi Gras, Bingo (begun in 1976), two major bequests, plus ever-increasing Christmas and Easter collections - resulted in reducing the parish debt to approximately $330,000 by the time Fr. Kelly left IC in August, 1984.

There was another item on the IC agenda when Fr. Kelly arrived in 1971. The grammar school, which consisted of 18 rooms (six built during Msgr. Morrison's time, and 12 built in 1958 when Msgr. Murphy was pastor), continued to graduate well-educated young people. Forty-two children graduated in June, 1974, thirty in June, 1975; the 64th graduation class in June, 1977 consisted of 24 children. While the educational process continued, there were growing concerns about the increasing cost for operating the school, and about a steadily declining enrollment. When Fr. Kelly became pastor in 1971 school enrollment was 330. Each year from that point it decreased slightly. The problem came to a head during the summer of 1974 when the principal, Sr. Elizabeth McWilliams, was faced with an unusually large number of requests for transfers. Parents who had previously registered their children at IC for the fall semester now withdrew and signed on at the local public schools. It was not possible to identify any one reason for the change of heart. As a result of the transfers, enrollment for 1974-75 was 220 where the school had expected 295 based on pre-registration figures. The pattern of decreasing enrollment continued for succeeding years. Meanwhile, the school's financial problems continued to mount.

By the early-seventies the annual parish subsidy needed to cover the cost of operating the school (after registration fees were paid), had risen to over $100,000. In January,1974, the School Board developed plans to address the situation. A "Save Our School" (SOS) program was put into action which called for an intensive review of the school budget, for renewed student recruiting efforts, and for greater parental involvement in school life. Registration fees were increased over time - from $35 per child in 1971, to $40 in 1975, to $55 per student by 1977.

In January 1978, the School Board sent a questionnaire to all families in the parish to determine reactions to the school situation. The board defined the school's problems as (1) declining enrollment, (2) an increasing parish subsidy, and, (3) the inability to effect a consolidation with schools in neighboring parishes. The responses from 337 parishioners were as follows: 54% to close the school; 33% to continue; and 10% to continue the school but not at the risk of increasing the parish debt. The results of the survey were forwarded to Cardinal Cody for his study.

In February,1978, Cardinal Cody met with the entire parish community to discuss the future of IC school. As a result of the meeting, the Parish Council and the School Board conducted a drive to increase enrollment for the 1978/79 school year. As it turned out, the numbers generated by the enrollment drive were not large enough to justify the continuation of the school.

Therefore, despite efforts at recruitment by the School Board, despite an exhaustive study of school operations by a blue-ribbon committee of parishioners...assistance from the Archdiocese School Office...appeals at weekend Masses...a personal visit by Cardinal Cody at a parish meeting... and despite a last-ditch attempt to recruit new students by the Board...his Eminence made the decision to close the school. In April, 1978, the news was relayed to faculty, students, parents, and parishioners. In June,1978, fifteen children formed the last 8th grade class to graduate from the Immaculate Conception grammar school. The parish educational program which began in 1912, finally closed 66 years later in 1978. A Mass of Appreciation was held in June to commemorate the school's contribution through the years to the IC parish family, and to the entire Highland Park community.

In retrospect, the closing of the school could be traced to several factors:

1. Finances: by modern standards, the tuition costs at IC were not high. Nevertheless, the almost yearly increases made it difficult for some families. Tuition collection by the Board was always hard. The Board never managed to collect more than 85% of the total; this added to the sizable subsidy from the parish to the school.

2. Excellence of the Highland Park Public School System: Education has always been a high priority on the North Shore. Heavy tax dollars made it possible for the local schools to offer sophisticated (and expensive) programs, and to hire teachers at a salary level far beyond IC's capabilities. Many parents choose the public schools for traditional education, and the parish Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program for the religious education of their children.

3. Busing: The parish was situated in three different public school districts. Thus IC was never able to take advantage of free busing because no school bus route passed near IC school. From the time of the opening of the new school building (1954), the parish purchased and maintained two buses for transporting students who lived at a distance. This became increasingly more costly. The buses aged, reliable drivers became harder to find, and insurance rates sky-rocketed. The venerable vehicles, "Mary" and "Loretto", became liabilities.

4. Lack of a Religious Presence: The Sisters of Loretto, administrators of the school since 1914, saw their ranks diminishing in the late '60's, and gradually cut back on the number assigned to IC. By 1974 Sr. Elizabeth McWilliams was the only religious sister at IC. Some parents felt the loss of the Sisters keenly and withdrew their children from the school.

In addition to these factors there were unspoken "perceptions" - a perception that it was "just a matter of time" until all Catholic schools would be phased out.; a perception that IC was not giving a quality education in the traditional subjects; a perception that IC had a weak faculty; a perception that the School Board was too narrow in its vision; even a perception that the pastor wanted the school closed. Whether true or not, these perceptions fortified the obvious realities that enrollment was declining, school operating costs were climbing, and the subsidy from the parish was increasing.

The closing of the school had a profound effect on parish morale. Many school parents were deeply hurt and felt alienated from the parish. IC immediately entered into discussions with neighboring parishes - Sacred Heart, Winnetka; Holy Cross, Deerfield; and St. James, Highwood - to see how IC children could be best absorbed into those parish schools. Parents were given an option, and while a majority chose to send their children to public schools, many parents opted for another Catholic school. Sacred Heart (with a school only slightly larger than IC in 1978) eventually enrolled over 60 of IC's students. A bus company was hired to transport children to Winnetka each day, and a surcharge over and above tuition for each child was established. IC bore the costs of both busing and the surcharge. The arrangement worked well. IC children were smoothly integrated into the life of Sacred Heart school, and many IC parents became actively involved there. IC was acutely conscious of the feelings of parents, and parish efforts to place children in other Catholic schools helped to ease the pain and alienation caused by the closing of the IC school.

The Parish Council appointed a committee to study the future of the school building. The recommendation called for using the East building as the "IC Parish Center". The West building became the "Community Activities Center"; Steppenwolf Theater occupied a portion of the West building and paid IC rent of $8 per month (plus utilities!). For a brief time the West building also housed an after-school program.

Once a decision was made to close the school, the parish turned its attention to expanding its existing program of providing a sound religious education for all parish children.

During the early 1960's Cardinal Meyer had encouraged parishes in the diocese to organize religious education for children not enrolled in Catholic schools under a program called the "Confraternity of Christian Doctrine", or "CCD". In the mid-sixties Father Garbin and Father Carsello, along with IC parishioners Bob and Nancy Happ, and Donna Falzone, developed a CCD program for IC. At one point approximately 350-400 grammar school and high school students were involved. It was a well organized operation which even included "home visits" by volunteers to determine why a student may have missed a class.

The number of parish children involved in "religious education" through either the school, or the CCD program, was impressive. In general terms, while the IC grammar school was operating, the balance of enrollment between the school and CCD slightly favored the school. As school problems began to come into focus, there was more of a balance of enrollment between the two programs. And as the school situation moved to a climax, the total shifted towards the CCD program. At one point the school had, in rough numbers, an enrollment of 300 children; the CCD program 100. These numbers reversed themselves towards the end of the school's life, with 300-plus children in CCD. With the closing of the school it became important for the parish to continue a strong CCD program in order to accommodate all the children involved.

The parish CCD program was first formalized in 1968, during Msgr. Murphy's term as Pastor, with the arrival of Sr. Simone, S.L., who became the Coordinator of Religious Education. Sr. Simone had studied at Lumen Vitae in Belgium, and received her Masters Degree in Theology from Marquette University. She came to IC from the Denver Archdiocese where she had served as Religious Education Coordinator. By 1970 the parish had organized a Board of Religious Education; Donna Falzone shared the operating workload with Sr. Simone. This was the structure of the program when Fr. Kelly arrived in 1971. In 1969 the CCD program enrolled 472 children; and the number increased in 1970. By 1971 the board felt it necessary to appoint a full-time director to handle the growing work load; Ms. Phyllis Kivlin was hired. After two years, Ms. Kivlin was replaced by Guy DiSpigno in September, 1973. By 1975 there were over 500 children in the program...assisted by 35 volunteer teachers. Jeanette Wisdorf was Director of Religious Education from July, 1977, to June, 1982. During Ms. Wisdorf's last year (1981-1982) there were approximately 400 students in the program. Jean Lama took over the task as Director of Religious Education in July, 1982. Sister Elizabeth McWilliams, who was principal of the IC school until June, 1978, became Co-Director of the Hospice program at Highland Park Hospital, while still remaining active as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at Immaculate Conception.

In brief, by the time IC grammar school closed in June, 1978, the CCD program was in place and capable of handling the formal religious training of all parish children.

While the parish provided religious training for all age levels...first grade through high school, it was felt that additional contact was needed with IC teenagers. Therefore, a Youth program was organized. A teen club called the "Red Door" was located in the basement of the IC school; it was the only teen club in Highland Park at the time. Parishioner Tom Clark supervised the activities. With the closing of the IC school in 1978, there was additional pressure to provide an outlet for IC teens. As the parish program developed, club activities expanded to the point where a full time youth director was needed. In June, 1978, Tim Rowan was appointed to the job. When he left in 1981, the position was filled by Bob DuMouchel.

Besides the organizational efforts to unify the work of the parish, there were several other initiatives. In 1972 IC began a sharing relationship with St. Charles Lwanga, an African-American parish on the south side of Chicago. Over the following years there were many co-operative ventures between the two parishes including a Christmas Giving tree, an annual exchange of pulpits by the two pastors, a Lenten discussion group involving parishioners from both parishes, summer picnics, Mardi Gras, and informal social interaction as friendships developed among the parish families.

The music program at IC was formalized under Fr. Kelly's direction. In 1974 Drew Rutz was appointed Music Director. Along with his other duties, Mr. Rutz took it upon himself to restore a pipe organ which had come to IC. (Remnants of the project are still found in IC's "attic" in 1996.) After Mr. Rutz left he was replaced by Patricia Lavalle who came to IC as part time Music Director, and Pastoral Program Director. In 1977 Dianne Paleczny was named Music Director; she was followed in December, 1979, by June Revi. The use of music to enhance the celebration of Mass became an important part of IC religious services.

The use of banners, and other artistic expressions, also began to enhance the parish religious experience. Parishioner Judy Dioszegi was responsible for designing many of the beautiful items used in the church. Among her efforts was a mobile, "Tongues of Fire", prepared for exhibition during Pentacost. This award-winning sculpture was designed by Judy, her husband John, and Lizabeth DeCurtins Hoying.

During the 1970's the parish participated in an unusual cooperative program developed to benefit children of the inner city. "Camp Horizons" was organized by North Shore Congregation Isreal and Urban Gateways under the leadership of Ruth Goldboss and Kay FitzSimon. An integrated summer day camp was operated at IC under the direction of Ginny Schulte. The program continued for several years and was successful in providing children with a healthy summer experience.

Another cooperative program developed in September, 1982, when Holy Cross in Deerfield and Immaculate Conception joined forces to organize a "homecoming" event. Directed by Fr. Ed Kelly, the one-night event was designed for both those who had become inactive in their faith practice, and for those persons interested in becoming Catholics. Over 200 people took advantage of the invitation to come "home". The joint effort, which was manned by over 100 Holy Cross and IC parishioners, was deemed highly successful. It led to the formation of a Phoenix group for separated and divorced Catholics, and to the beginning of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). The RCIA program, initially under the direction of Barb Pluta, became a fixture at IC parish.

In 1981 the parish began a 3-year faith formation program called RENEW, which consisted of group discussions among parishioners. While the program did not achieve the desired number of participants, it did produce many people who subsequently became involved in parish activities.

During Father Kelly's time as pastor, the parish faced a decision regarding the convent left behind by the Sisters of Loretto when they moved out in 1972. In June, 1973, the parish made the final payment of $8,000 to the order, completing a purchase agreement made in 1962. The parish used the convent as a "parish center" for various activities including, in 1974, the Religious Education Office, and in 1975, the parish library which had been organized by parishioners Maureen Powell and Marilyn Moran, with the help of Dorothy Teare (a retired librarian from Highland Park High School). The building also was used to house the Music Director and his wife (Drew and Katie Rutz). In spite of maintenance efforts, the building continued to deteriorate, and in 1979 the Parish Council voted to raze the building. This was done in October, 1979. Thus ended a long association with the Sisters of Loretto who were an important part of Immaculate Conception's history. Over the years many IC families had seen their daughters enter a life of service with the order. These included Mary Lever, Mildred Sheahen, Louise Schmidley, Helen O'Brien, Dorothy Rafferty, Mary Greenslade, and Lois Conarchy.

In August, 1984, Fr. Laurence Kelly left Immaculate Conception parish to assume new duties as Pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, where he served from 1984 to 1992. Fr. Ed Kelly was appointed Parochial Administrator to guide IC until a new pastor could be appointed.

Father Laurence Kelly's thirteen years as pastor of IC were productive years for the parish. When he arrived the parish had in place, and functioning, a Religious Board of Education, a School Board, and a Parish Council. All three had constitutions and by-laws, an elected membership, and specific areas of responsibility. He continued the programs started by Msgr. Murphy, and he built new activities designed to enhance the religious life of the parish. He helped parishioners cope with changes brought about by Vatican II. He was a responsible financial manager; during his tenure the parish debt was reduced by $293,500, while expenses remained under control. Fr. Kelly was known as a kind and gentle man with a knack for remembering parishioner's names. He had the ability to make people feel good about themselves. In the Spring of 1996 Fr. Kelly became seriously ill; he died on May 23, 1996. A Mass of Resurrection was held on May 28, 1996, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea. (In January, 1997, the ACTA Foundation announced the creation of The Reverend Laurence D. Kelly Award for Excellence in Adult Catechesis. The award, to be given annually by the ACTA Foundation, is given to an outstanding catechetical minister serving the Archdiocese of Chicago in adult catechesis.)

PASTOR: REVEREND LAWRENCE SPRINGER (1984)

Following Fr. Kelly's departure from IC in August, 1984, Cardinal Bernardin appointed a new pastor, Father Lawrence Springer. Prior to moving into the rectory, Fr. Springer visited IC and reviewed all aspects of his new parish. At the end of his visit, and after consultation with Archdiocesen officials, Fr. Springer was released from his assignment at Immaculate Conception. In September, 1984, Sr. Mary Anne Mupo was appointed Pastoral Associate.

PASTOR: REVEREND JOHN E. O'BRIEN (1984 - 1985)

On November 18, 1984, Father John E.O'Brien was installed as the eighth pastor at Immaculate Conception. Fr. O'Brien was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He was educated at St. Bernard school, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary where he earned his M.A. in Theology. He was ordained in 1950, and did post graduate work in Psychology and Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University. He served as Associate Pastor at Resurrection (1950-1958), at St. Carthage (1958-1959), and at Immaculate Conception in Waukegan (1959-1966). He also served at St. Matthew (1966-1975), first as associate pastor, then as administrator, and finally as Pastor. From 1975-1984 Fr. O'Brien was chaplain at St. Therese hospital in Waukegan before being named Pastor at IC in Highland Park.

Father O'Brien came to IC at a difficult time in the life of the parish. The community had seen their school close, had lost the services of a popular pastor, and had just witnessed the premature departure of the priest who had been appointed as their new pastor. Fr. O'Brien's immediate goal was to offer a sympathetic ear to parish concerns, and to try and re-build an effective parish life for the community.

The parish was faced with a difficult financial situation. There were little or no funds in the bank account, several large bills were due, and Sunday collections were running around $3,300 per week. The Women's Club and the Bingo group gave Fr. O'Brien an early "advance" on their annual contributions to the parish budget which helped solve some pressing cash flow problems.

Another challenge facing the parish and their new pastor was to find a way to re-invigorate two of the parish's key committees - the Parish Council, and the Financial Board. Both groups had witnessed a turn-over in membership, and new members were recruited to assist in the operation of the parish.

Fr. O'Brien saw to the continuation of the many parish activities. The Women's Club continued its annual Rummage Sale; raffle tickets were sold in the parish; a Benefit raised $10,000; contacts were maintained with St. Charles Lwanga (IC's "twining" parish in Chicago); the parish held a successful "Summerfest '85" carnival which raised $17,000; and parish programs such as the Religious Education Board, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, continued their important activities.

During his brief pastorate Fr. O'Brien began several initiatives including a reorganization of the rectory and its offices, installation of computers in the parish office, and the beginning of the process of selling off property at the west end of the parish property.

In November, 1985, Fr. O'Brien underwent serious surgery which restricted his activity as pastor. The Cardinal granted Fr. O'Brien retirement status for medical reasons, effective January 1, 1986.

PASTOR: REVEREND STEPHEN J. MANGAN (1986 -1992)

Father Mangan was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, effective January 1, 1986. Fr. Mangan was born in Chicago, studied at the archdiocesan seminaries, and was ordained April 30, 1964. He was Associate Pastor of Queen of Rosary from 1964 thru 1968. He took postgraduate studies at Gregorian University in Rome from 1968 to 1971, and received his STD degree in 1971. From 1971 to 1973 Fr. Mangan was Assistant Professor of Church History at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. In 1973-74 he was Associate Pastor of St. Mary parish, and then Associate Pastor of St. Barnabas from 1975 to 1978. In 1978 he was named Pastor of St. Malachy parish where he remained until 1984. He also served as vice president of the Priest's Senate from 1981 to 1983. In 1984 through 1985 Fr. Mangan was co-pastor of the English speaking parish at The Hague, The Netherlands. In 1985-86 he was named Associate Pastor of Queen of Martryrs parish in Evergreen Park; from there he came to Highland Park. Fr. Mangan was installed as Pastor of Immaculate Conception parish by Most Reverend John G. Vlazny, Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate 1, on Sunday, January 26, 1986.

During Father Mangan's pastorate the parish had several priests assigned to IC. When Fr. Mangan arrived in 1986 there were two associates living in the rectory - Fr. Ed Kelly and Fr. Earl Thomas. Fr. Thomas remained at IC until May, 1987, when he was assigned to St. Joseph the Worker in Wheeling, Illinois. At that point, Fr. Thomas had been in the hospital since mid-March and it was necessary to find a parish situation which did not require him to climb stairs. After two years at IC, and additional years at St. Joseph the Worker, Fr. Thomas died in 1989. Fr. John L.Holleman, who had joined the parish as a resident in August, 1986, was Associate Pastor from 1987 until his departure for New Orleans in October, 1988. In August, 1988, Fr. Robert E. Meyer was appointed Associate Pastor; he left the parish in November, 1988. Two years later, in August, 1990, Fr. Frederick Rosing of the Salvatorian community, became a resident at IC while he pursued studies at Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University. He completed his studies and was appointed Chaplain at the Newman Center of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee in July, 1991.

When Father Ed Kelly turned 70 years old in September, 1987, he retired as Associate Pastor, continued to live in the IC rectory, and to participate in parish activities. In May, 1994, Fr. Kelly celebrated 50 years as a priest with a special concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving. The service was attended by members of his family, his ordination classmates, and many friends from the Chicago area. Shortly after celebrating this milestone, Fr. Kelly's health began to fail and, after a brief illness, he passed away on February 4, 1995.

By the end of 1991, Fr. Mangan was the only priest assigned to IC. At that point the staff became even more vital to parish operations. Deacons Robert FitzSimon (ordained 1974), and Thomas Bex (ordained 1976), were joined in September, 1991, by William L. Moorman as Pastoral Associate and Permanent Deacon. Fr. Mangan appointed Thomas Stefan as Director of Liturgy in August, 1986; he was followed by Mark Sellers, who also served as Music Director until November of '87 when Richard Sabonis took over the music program. Mr. Sabonis left the parish in June, 1991, and Timothy Flynn became Music Director. When Fr. Mangan arrived in 1986, the religious education program was under the direction of Sister Elizabeth McWilliams. Sister Robertus took over the program from 1986 to 1992 when the reins then passed to Deacon Moorman.

The religious life of the parish continued under Father Mangan. Over 90 people were confirmed between 1988 and 1991; 76 young people received their First Communion between 1989 and 1991. The parish education program continued to thrive through a combination of CCD classes, and full time students enrolled at Sacred Heart parish school in Winnetka (35 pupils from IC in 1986). The RCIA program, originally formed in 1979 during Fr. Kelly's pastorate, continued to serve the needs of parishioners. The Women's Club was responsible for forming a Prayer Network in October, 1986, which was still in operation in the mid-'90's. In 1990 Father Mangan established a Pastoral Council with Barb Pluta as Chairperson.

The religious atmosphere surrounding the church was enhanced in October, 1988, (thanks to John and Jean Cortesi), with the addition of bells and chimes to the church tower. The Angelus began to sound each day at noon and at 6:00 PM, before Sunday Masses, and before funerals. Ray Geraci was responsible for organizing the installation, and Larry Peddle did the electrical work.

Parish social life was active during these years. The parish continued its summer carnivals with "Summerfest '86", and with an annual IC Family Picnic. After St. Charles Lwanga parish in Chicago was closed, IC began a "twining" relationship with Our Lady of Grace, a Hispanic parish located in Chicago with its own pre-school-through-8th-grade grammar school of 325 children. The IC Women's Club continued its many parish activities including the Bake Sale, a Rummage Sale, Christmas Bazaar, Spring Fashion Show...and other worthwhile activities. Each year the club presented the pastor with a check (usually between $15,000 and $20,000) which became an important part of the parish annual financial picture. The weekly Bingo game also became an important part of parish activity. Between 1986 and 1990 the Bingo committee turned over approximately $82,000 to the pastor...income from weekly Bingo sessions.

As a result of parishioners' efforts to support the various social activities, as well as their contributions to Sunday and holiday collections, the IC debt dropped from $335,370 in Father Mangan's first year (1986), to $164,865 in 1989. Then came news of an important development in parish history.

The parish bulletin for June 24, 1990, contained the following news from Father Mangan: "We have received word this past week that the sale of the Western portion of our property has finally been completed. The total of this sale amounted to $1,102,500. We have received a check for $944,537.30 in final payment. This difference was used to retire our parish debt." The 'western portion' was sold to a residential developer who subsequently built condominiums on the site. Perhaps for the first time in parish history, the parish had no debt. And a substantial amount of money was available with which to improve the physical appearance of parish property.

Shortly after negotiating the sale of the property, Fr. Mangan's health began to fail. He entered into a long siege of ill health which culminated in his death on February 22, 1992. A Mass of Resurrection was held for Father Mangan on February 25, 1992.

PASTOR: REVEREND ROBERT L. KEALY 1992 - 2001

Father Kealy was appointed the tenth Pastor of Immaculate Conception, effective March 30, 1992, by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. IC's new Pastor was born November 11, 1946, in Chicago, the last of four children. He graduated from St. Gertrude grammar school, and Quigley North preparatory Seminary. He received his B.A., Master of Divinity (M.Div.), and Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) degrees from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He served as Deacon at St. Norbert in Northbrook in 1971, and was ordained on May 10, 1972. He became Associate Pastor at St. Germaine in Oak Lawn for the years 1972 - 1977. Fr. Kealy received his Dr.of Law degree (J.D.) from DePaul University College of Law in 1976. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1976, and to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979. From 1977 to 1978 he served as Associate Pastor at St. Cletus in LaGrange. Fr. Kealy became Advocate and Judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal, 1977 - 1982, while a resident at St. Boniface (Chicago). He was a founding director of the Center for Church/State Studies, and Adjunct Professor of Law at DePaul College of Law, 1981 - 1982.

Father Kealy did graduate studies in canon law at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, 1982 - 1985, and received his Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.), summa cum laude, in 1986. Back in Chicago, he served as Chancellor, and Director of Canonical Services and Communications from 1985 - 1992, while a resident of Queen of All Saints Basilica. He served as a member of the Advisory Council for DePaul University College of Law (1989 - 1997). He was Secretary of the Advisory Board, North American College, Rome, (1990 - 1993). Father Kealy was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception in 1992 and in late 1993 he was appointed Judicial Vicar of the Court of Appeals for the Province of Chicago. In effect, Fr. Kealy became chief judge of the Appeals Court for marriage annulment cases in Illinois. In addition to his other responsibilities, Fr. Kealy is Vice Chairman of the Midwest Patrons of the Vatican Museums, and Chaplain to the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago.

When Father Kealy arrived as Pastor in March, 1992, Rev. William M. Holbrook, resident, and Fr. Ed Kelly, (who, as noted earlier, passed away in February, 1995) were on hand to assist him with rebuilding the parish, which had become somewhat inactive during Fr. Mangan's long illness. In June, Fr. Holbrook, a priest of the Diocese of LaFayette, Indiana, (on loan to the Archdiocese of Chicago), was appointed Associate Pastor while continuing with his work at Marillac House. This arrangement continued until August, 1994, when Fr. Holbrook was re-assigned by his home diocese. Effective September 1, 1994, Father Alec Wolff was appointed Associate Pastor at IC. Fr. Wolff was born in Italy, raised in Glenview, Illinois, and ordained in 1981. He took his Clinical Pastoral Internship in London. Before arriving at IC he had served at St. Emily in Mt. Prospect, was Associate Pastor at St. Raymond (Mt. Prospect), and Associate Pastor at St. Joseph (Wilmette). Fr. Wolff has been producer, director, and host for many Catholic radio and television programs for the archdiocese. In July, 1995, Fr. James Heyd joined the rectory staff as "Sunday Assistant". Fr. Heyd helped at IC while teaching at St. Joseph Seminary at Loyola University. Father Robert Flinn (SVD) from Techny also assisted at IC until he passed away in July, 1995.

Also on hand to help with parish activities was Deacon William Moorman and Deacon Robert FitzSimon (in spite of his retirement two years earlier!). In November '92 Deacon Tom Bex returned from a year's sabbatical to assist in the parish. Unfortunately, Deacon Bex passed away in November, 1993. In July, 1993, parishioner Louis Vignocchi was accepted as a candidate for the permanent diaconate program. Mr. Vignocchi and his wife Diana were two years into their four-year program when they were joined in July, 1995, by another parishioner, James Fruge' who, with his wife Kay, was also accepted for the diaconate program. In 1995 Luis Lara entered the Lay Ministry program, and in 1997 he began the Diaconate program. (In 1997 Stewart Adams also began diaconate training.)

Immaculate Conception continued to enjoy the services of deacons and seminarians assigned to the parish as part of preparation for the priesthood. In 1992 Chris Gustafson was assigned to IC for the first of several appointments. In all, Deacon Gustafson spent almost three years at IC; he was ordained a priest in May, 1995, and then assigned to Sacred Heart in Winnetka. Deacon James ("J R") Sanford was assigned to IC in early 1993. Deacon Michael McGovern assisted on weekends until his ordination to the priesthood in May, 1994, when he was assigned as "Resident Priest" at IC while he worked on an advanced degree in theology. He left the parish in June, 1995, to become Associate Pastor at Queen of the Universe. Deacon Thomas Hoizington (from the Diocese of Wichita) assisted at IC until his ordination in May, 1995. Deacon Doug Robertson of the Diocese of LaCrosse helped out in the parish during the Spring of '96. And Deacon Ted Dudzinski joined the parish staff from September '96, through June '97.

Among Father Kealy's first projects upon arrival at IC was working with Deacon William Moorman and other staff personnel, (1) to begin the process of updating office and business functions, (2) to ensure the proper maintenance of buildings, and (3) to beautify the grounds surrounding the church. Assisting them with the office project was Darlene Foley, secretary of the parish since 1980. (The job of parish secretary has been held by only three people in the past forty years. Betty Rohr was secretary from 1954 to 1975; Ann Clark from 1975 to 1980; and Darlene Foley from 1980 until the present time.) Fr. Kealy had the parish office moved from the basement of the rectory to the Parish Center. A new phone system was installed, and a computer network was organized. The daily maintenance of parish buildings continued to be the responsibility of Tom Genest, parish custodian since 1973. Mr. Genest's efforts through the years were recognized in 1995 when he was awarded the parish's "Unsung Hero Award" for his efforts. Reyes Osario was added to the custodial staff in 1994. The areas surrounding the outside of the church were made attractive through the efforts of parishioners in the landscaping business who volunteered to take care of the lawns and grounds.

Education of the children of the parish continued to be a high priority item. When Sister Robertus, Director of Religious Education for six years, left the parish in June, 1992, responsibility for the program passed to Deacon William Moorman. At that point, the parish entered into a joint venture with St. James parish in Highwood, covering three educational areas: Catholic school education, religious education, and teen ministry. Judy Cullen became the Director of Religious Education at both parishes. A pre-school was opened at IC in the Fall of '93 as a satellite of St. James school. St. James in Highwood became the official Catholic grammar school for IC families. Kindergarten through eighth grade at St. James had a total enrollment of approximately 165 students in 1995-96, with many students from IC families. A youth ministry committee was formed and programs were opened up to teens from both parishes. Seminarian Matt Szymanski was appointed as part-time youth minister.

Meanwhile, the Religious Education program for children not attending St. James grammar school continued to grow at IC. In September, 1994, roughly 250 children were enrolled in pre-kindergarten through high school classes. Pre-K through fifth grade classes were held Sunday mornings; sixth grade through high school met Wednesday evenings. Classes were led by volunteers from the parish.

A new organization called PEG (Parent Enrichment Group) was formed from the parents who had children in the Religious Education program. PEG began a monthly Family Mass, sponsored the annual Fall Family Festival, and offered other activities for kids and parents. A major committee, the Parish Pastoral Council, (which was relatively inactive during Fr. Mangan's illness), was re-activated by Fr. Kealy in August, 1992. The council's role was stated as, (1) coordination of all the various activities within the parish, (2) identification of pastoral needs, (3) providing assistance to the pastor in the planning of new programs and services, and (4) the evaluation of existing activities and services. To those ends the Pastoral Council identified five major areas of parish life:

*Spiritual Life

*Parish Life

*Human Concerns

*Education

*Ethnic Ministry.

All parish activities - Lectors, Ushers, Women's Club, Fund-raising events, Bereavement, Blood Drives, Pre-school, Ethnic Masses, etc. - were organized under one of these five major pastoral commissions. Thus, the Pastoral Council was able to fulfill its charter of providing assistance in the coordination of parish life.

In a effort to provide some insight into the future of IC, the Pastoral Council also became involved in the development of long-range planning designed to strengthen pastoral life of the parish. Immaculate Conception was selected by the Archdiocese as one of thirty parishes to pioneer a formalized planning process called "Tomorrow's Parish". At a meeting of the parish in October, 1992, (attended by 125 people), the planning process was explained. This initial meeting was followed by other open sessions where the entire community was invited to participate in the setting of goals and priorities. Under the direction of Chairman Larry Sassorossi a five year plan was written which became a blueprint to assist the parish, and the pastor, in anticipating future needs and programs. A mission statement was developed which stated that the goal for the parish was, "To cooperate with God's grace in forming a faith-filled, harmonious Catholic community of worship, love, and service".

Ethnic Ministry was one of the important commissions identified by the Pastoral Council planning process. By the end of 1995, within Vicariate I (Lake County & N.W. Suburban Cook County), a liturgy in Spanish language was being conducted in eighteen different parishes. The demographics of IC families had been shifting over time. It was recognized that a large and growing Hispanic population was becoming more important in the life of the parish. As a result of these changing conditions, a parish committee was established to begin making plans to ensure that the spiritual needs of Hispanic families were being met. The first step was the establishment (on Easter Sunday, 1994) of a weekly Spanish Sunday Mass. As many as 250 people begin to attend this Mass. In order to prepare himself to communicate with the changing demographics of his parish, Fr. Kealy took a course in the Spanish language at Middlebury College,Vermont, during the Summer of 1994. In January, 1995, Cardinal Bernardin appointed Fr. Michael Boehm as coordinator of Lake County's Hispanic ministry. Fr. Boehm was given responsibility for three parishes - Immaculate Conception in Highland Park, Immaculate Conception in Waukegan, and Queen of Peace in North Chicago. He has worked on leadership formation with the Hispanic Promoter Team, the leadership group for the Hispanic ministry. One of several programs offered to the Hispanic community was a center for literacy and elementary education for adults offered at IC. The program was sponsored by the Mexican Consulate, and was taught by volunteers from IC's Hispanic families.

While all of these changes were going on, parish life continued at a steady pace. In 1992 the First Communion class numbered 26, with 18 in the Confirmation class. In 1993 First Communicants numbered 31, and those being Confirmed totaled 51. For the fiscal year ending June,1993, there were 34 Baptisms, 13 Weddings, and 22 Funerals at Immaculate Conception. There were 47 in the Confirmation class of May, 1995, and 35 First Communicants. In May, 1996, 23 children received First Communion at a special Mass. Lenten Missions were held in 1995, conducted by Bishop Raymond Goedert, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, and in 1996, conducted by Bishop Gerald Kicanas. The parish began Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) programs for both men and women in order to provide lay leadership formation. Deacon William Moorman offered regular Scripture programs, and prepared people for marriage and other sacraments. Ann Moorman, part-time Pastoral Associate, directed the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program, the women's CRHP activity, the bereavement committee, and the eucharistic ministers of care. The parish made a concerted effort to minister to homebound and hospitalized parishioners, and to those who had experienced death in the family. The parish choir and music program developed under the leadership of Tim Flynn, Director of Music, became a source of great pride for the parish. A conscious effort was made to incorporate younger adults into church ministries and apostolates.

Human concerns activities of the parish also continued at a high energy level. Pari