Saint Jane de Chantal Roman Catholic Church

Could a prairie hold the secret to uniting a community? Here, at Saint Jane de Chantal Roman Catholic Church, the answer is a resounding yes. In 1954, what is now a vibrant hub was just a field of wild grasses. Cardinal Stritch appointed Reverend John A. Ward to organize a new parish, Saint Jane de Chantal, near 53rd and McVicker. The first Mass was celebrated not within these impressive walls, but at Mark Twain Public School, rented for $96 a Sunday. The community quickly blossomed. Soon, four Masses were held each weekend. Bake sales, house parties, and fall festivals fueled the dream of a dedicated church building. A small bungalow on the property became a temporary rectory and chapel. This humble space became the heart of the growing Saint Jane de Chantal community. On Palm Sunday 1955, ground was broken for a multipurpose building at 5201 S. McVicker. It served as church, school, convent, and hall. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on Christmas 1955. This building, completed for $375,000, became a testament to the community’s dedication. However, the story of Saint Jane de Chantal doesn’t end there. In 1962, ground was broken for the current church and rectory. This time, Mayor Richard J. Daley joined the cornerstone laying ceremony. The first Mass in this very building was held on March 25, 1964. The dedication ceremony was a grand affair. Cardinal Meyer, Governor Otto Kerner, and Mayor Daley were all present. Even the pastor’s brother, Cook County State’s Attorney Daniel P. Ward, attended. In more recent times, Saint Jane de Chantal has continued to evolve. Father Edward J. Cronin revitalized the parish in 2010 with much-needed improvements. Then, in 2019, Saint Jane de Chantal merged with St. Camillus. The new parish was initially named SS Camillus and Jane de Chantal. Later, it was renamed St. Faustina Kowalska Parish. Though the name has changed, this worship site remains Saint Jane de Chantal, a beacon of faith and community built from a simple prairie.