A wave of nostalgia washes over you. You stand before Saint Bede the Venerable Church a testament to faith and a vibrant community. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living history.
Saint Bede the Venerable Church opened its doors in 1953. It was a time of great change. Soldiers returned from World War II starting families. A baby boom surged. Many young families needed homes and schools. The church provided both spiritual guidance and community support.
The first Mass was held not in a grand church. It was in a warehouse a former hangar at Ashburn Airport. Think of it a humble beginning for a church destined for great things. The original church which is now the parish gym opened in 1955. The Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet opened the parish school the same year. Three hundred pupils enrolled. Can you imagine the energy?
The initial construction spurred incredible growth. Within a year an addition to the school was needed. The parish grew rapidly reaching 1500 families and 480 students in just three years. More classrooms were added in 1956. In 1957 Samuel Cardinal Stritch dedicated the new church school convent and rectory. A testament to the dedication of the community.
Even that wasn’t enough. By 1959 the school was too small again. Eight more classrooms and an auditorium were built. By 1961 the parish boasted 2300 families and a school with 1900 children. A new church was built on the northwest corner of 83rd and Kostner.
In 1996 the Sisters of St Joseph withdrew from the parish. The school continued thriving now entirely run by lay staff. The spirit of dedication lives on. This church is more than bricks and mortar. It is a story of resilience growth and faith. It’s a legacy etched in the hearts of generations. This is Saint Bede the Venerable Church a cornerstone of its community.