|
| |
|
In
1989, St. Catherine of Siena Parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of its first
place of worship in the Dundee area. The first Mass in Dundee was said in the
Hunt Building on the northeast corner of Main and Second Street on July 8, 1912
by Father Lonergan with 35 people present. A table with cigar boxes, covered
with linen handkerchiefs, served as the altar. Masses were later said in the
Library Hall in Carpentersville for a short time.
The
first Church was built on Highland Avenue in West Dundee in 1914. This building
is the present home of the Dundee Historical Society. On May 30, 1914, the new
church was dedicated. Knights of Columbus came by train to the East Dundee
Station and marched in full dress to the new church along with Bishop Muldoon
and Father Lonergan. Part of the Mass was said in Italian. Father Keenan,
appointed pastor in 1917, lived at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin until the
Rectory was purchased in 1920. It is said that he rode both on horseback and
streetcar to say Mass in Dundee. Between the years 1940 and 1950, the parish
expanded rapidly and it became necessary to add extra masses. In 1953, the
sudden increase of members in the new development called Meadowdale, created the
need for a Mission Chapel. Members of St. Catherine’s Parish helped Siena
Chapel (now St. Monica’s Church) get its start.
|
 |
| As
the parish and school continued to grow, there was a need to move to roomier
surroundings. In 1963, a Building Fund Program was established and in 1965 the
cornerstone for the new St. Catherine of Siena was laid. This building, located
on Route 72, would house the permanent school facilities, Siena Hall and
lunchroom combination, and temporary church facilities in the section that would
later become a gymnasium. On Sunday, September 9, 1984, our new church was
dedicated by Bishop O’Neill of Rockford, the result of the faith and sacrifice
of our parish members. Father Bruno Daukas, our pastor at that time, saw the
fulfillment of many years of planning. Our parish family has grown from 5
families in 1912 to over 2,300 today. Our school has grown from 65 students to
280. We welcome you to tour our church, enjoy the exciting architecture, the
beautiful stained glass windows and inspiring statuary.
|
|
