CHRIST THE KING - THE EARLY YEARS
"I am sending you to the far south side of the city,
in the vicinity of 95th St. and Western Avenue, to start a new parish under
the title of Christ the King." George Cardinal Mundelein spoke these words
to the Rev. Patrick Gleeson thus creating the new parish of Christ the King
on July 3, 1936. At the time, Fr. Gleeson was a professor at Quigley
Preparatory Seminary while in residence at St. Sabina Parish. He celebrated
the first parish Mass on July 12, 1936 at the Vanderpoel School Auditorium.
Fr. Gleeson took up residence at Little Company of Mary Hospital serving as
chaplain and laying the groundwork for his new parish. The funeral
establishment of Paul Heeney near 95th and Western would become the
temporary site of Sunday masses for the next fourteen months as fundraising
and building plans commenced.
Proceeds
of eight thousand dollars from a parish carnival held at 95th and Ashland
Ave. facilitated the purchase of a temporary rectory at 94th and Hamilton
where a chapel was set up for daily Masses and reservation of the Blessed
Sacrament. Plans for a new combination church and school building were
initiated with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 13, 1937 and formal opening
of our new school on September 27, 1937. Henry Brothers Construction
completed the project in record time enabling the school to open under the
direction of the Sisters of Mercy. Mass was celebrated for the first time on
parish property on October 3, 1937 in the chapel located on the first floor
of the school. Ground was broken for a new convent on April 17, 1940 with
dedication ceremonies on November 24, 1940. The rectory was added ten years
later with dedication on October 21, 1951.
In the spring of 1953, a ten day campaign was
successfully run to raise pledges for the building of a new church designed
by architects John J. Fox and John J. Fox, Jr.. Groundbreaking ceremonies on
August 16, 1953 followed by mild winters in 1953 and 1954 expedited the
construction project. The first Solemn High Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve
of 1954 marked the opening of the new edifice. An overflow crowd filled the
new church as carillon bells rang out Christmas hymns. On June 5, 1955 when
Samuel Cardinal Stritch officially dedicated the new church, the buildings
were completed, 550 students were enrolled in our school and the rapidly
growing parish had been firmly established in just under twenty years.
The Holy Name Society held regular Communion
breakfast meetings after Sunday 10 am Masses, golfing at Westgate C.C. and
bowling at Beverly Bowling Lanes. The Women's Altar Guild held annual fall
luncheons at South Shore C.C., Mother-Daughter Communion breakfasts and the
especially popular Annual Silver Tea and House Party. The 25th Anniversary
of the parish in 1961 was highlighted by the parish musical, "Those
Wonderful Years" performed by a host of talented parishioners under the
musical direction of Irv Corcoran. The liturgical celebration of the 25th
Anniversary took place on Sunday, October 29,1961 at 12:15 Mass with Albert
Cardinal Meyer presiding. The Silver Anniversary Ball was held on November
11, 1961 at Mother McAuley High School honoring Msgr. Gleeson with a
beautiful portrait by artist Laurette Strohm
Changes Come To Christ The King Parish
Liturgical changes
brought about by Vatican II included the administering of all sacraments in
English, reception of Holy Communion while standing rather than kneeling,
and the inclusion of lay lectors and commentators on the altar during mass.
Our tabernacle was moved forward to allow for Mass with the priest facing
the people. The organ was moved forward, the Baptismal Font was moved to the
rear and the Sedalia was renovated in marble to accommodate the main
celebrant, deacon and sub-deacon.
In October of 1968, Msgr.
Gleeson retired due to failing heath and was succeeded by Bishop John L.
May. Bishop May served for one year before being named to the new diocese of
Mobile, Alabama. The next pastor was rumored to be Rev. Edward F. Myers, a
resident at nearby St. John Fisher Parish, Assistant Director of Catholic
Cemeteries and Director of the Apostolate of the Handicapped. Msgr. Gleeson,
accompanied by Fr. John
Heffernan and Fr. Quirk, ventured by night to the rectory of St. John
Fisher, knocked on Fr. Myer's door and asked in the scriptural vernacular,
"Are you he who is to come, or do we look for another?" Fr. Myers replied,
"Why should this great thing happen to me - that the brothers of My Lord
should come to me?" His scripture-based response indicated a kindred spirit
or maybe it was the luck of the Irish that in late 1969 the Fr. Myers era
which would span 21 years began at Christ the King.
To be continued.........
