Divine Infant Church

Could a church built on a former prairie become a spiritual oasis? Here at Divine Infant Church in Westchester, Illinois, that’s exactly what happened. This story begins not with stained glass and hymns, but with the vision of a small group of Catholics led by James and Margaret Crowley. In 1945, as World War II drew to a close, they petitioned the Chicago Archdiocese to establish a parish in their village. Their persistence paid off. In 1947, Cardinal Stritch assigned Father Charles Langan to survey the area. Father Langan found the perfect spot: six acres of land bounded by Kent, Hull, Canterbury, and Newcastle. On August 13, 1947, Divine Infant Parish was officially established. Initially, services were held at Nixon School. The first mass at Divine Infant Church took place there on August 24, 1947. But the congregation needed a permanent home. Thanks to generous donations and fundraising efforts, ground was broken for a combined church and school building in 1948. The first mass in the endearingly nicknamed “Little Cathedral” was held on Easter Sunday, 1949. Divine Infant Church quickly blossomed. A convent was built, generously funded by George Nixon and Frank Lewis. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of La Grange arrived in 1949 to staff the growing school, which opened its doors to 111 students on September 7, 1949. The parish continued to flourish, necessitating further expansion. An eight-room school addition was completed in 1951. Divine Infant Church was officially dedicated in 1952 by Cardinal Stritch. The “Little Cathedral” eventually became the school gym. With the post-war baby boom, the Gloria building was added in 1954. Divine Infant Church wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a community hub. Father Langan’s dream of a new church to “Crown the Divine Infant” was realized in 1963 with the dedication of the current church building. Divine Infant Church remains a testament to the vision and dedication of those early parishioners. They transformed a patch of prairie into a vibrant spiritual home.