Was it truly fate that brought Luxembourg immigrants to Chicago to build Saint Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church? In 1921, Cardinal George Mundelein established Saint Margaret Mary Parish. He appointed Rev George McCarthy as its first pastor. The parish consisted of 135 families.
Saint Margaret Mary Parish aimed to serve the Luxembourg community. These people wanted a place to worship and a school for their children. They were willing to work hard.
In 1924, plans for a two-story building were approved. The first floor would house the church. Eight classrooms were on the second floor. The basement would be a social center and gymnasium. The church and school were dedicated on June 21, 1925. The Sisters of St Joseph from LaGrange Illinois staffed the school.
Construction of the present Saint Margaret Mary Church began in June 1937. It was dedicated on December 18, 1938. After World War II, the rectory was built. The Activity Center completed the campus.
From its small beginnings, Saint Margaret Mary Parish grew. It eventually hosted 800 families. The school had 180 students. The Religious Education program served over 50 young people. Saint Margaret Mary embraced diversity. Its parishioners came from all over the world. On Pentecost, the parish celebrates the diversity of culture and the oneness of faith. Saint Margaret Mary welcomes diverse people. They gather as one in faith to celebrate the Eucharist.
Upon entering Saint Margaret Mary Church, the baptismal font is prominent. It reminds everyone of their baptism. Baptism marks the beginning of the journey to God. It signifies becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.
As you walk down the aisle, you will see the symbol of the labyrinth. It is a replica of the one in Chartres Cathedral in France. The labyrinth serves as a reminder of the Christian path to God. The path to God is not always easy. Sins and traumatic events can take people off course. God redirects their steps. Sometimes, it may feel like wandering in circles. But the labyrinth helps make sense of the journey.
Saint Margaret Mary Parish became Holy Child Jesus Parish in July 2020. Three parishes combined which included St. Henry and St. Timothy. The St. Margaret Mary church became the parish church for Holy Child Jesus Parish. All masses and services take place at this one parish church. Holy Child Jesus Parish is one of the most diverse in Chicago. It includes Anglos, Asian Indians, Cameroonians, Filipinos, Nigerians, Vietnamese, and European immigrants.
Mass times vary at Saint Margaret Mary. Weekday masses are at 8:00 a.m. in both English and Vietnamese. Saturday masses are at 4:00 p.m. in English and 6:00 p.m. in Vietnamese. Sunday masses are at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. in Vietnamese. There are also services at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in English. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a Tagalog mass at 5:00 p.m. Confessions are on Saturdays from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Saint Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church has a rich history. It continues to serve God’s people in the West Ridge community. It welcomes everyone to visit and become part of its parish community.