SS. Cyril and Methodius School

Old School

Father Leopold B. M. Moczygemba, pastor of St. Alphonsus parish from 1882 to 1884, and organizer of SS. Cyril and Methodius parish, obtained the services of Miss Martianne Czerner to be the first Polish teacher in the mission parish. She taught through the 1882 and 1883 school years.

The Felician Sisters took over the teaching assignment in September, 1884. Five nuns reported for duty. The first staff consisted of Sisters: M. Josephine, M. Colletta, M. Michaeline (Scholastica) and M. Santia.

The 1915-1916 school year was the first with a full 8 grade curriculum. The first graduating class consisted of Dr. John Wietrzykowski, M.D., Alex Witkowski and Bernice Nowakowski .

During this Diamond Jubilee celebration of the parish, we cannot forget the most glorious work fulfilled for 75 years by our good Felician Sisters. The priests and parishioners express their most heartfelt thanks to these most Christian women, who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and country in the educational field. For the many nuns who have gone on to their richly deserved eternal reward we pray "eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them." For those whom we fortunately still have with us, we beg God's blessing upon their work, and pray they may enjoy the fruits of their untiring, unselfish labors.

With great pride we congratulate the parents who gave their daughters to convent life. We express our appreciation to the girls of the parish who, with "Mary, chose the better part, which shall not be taken away from them."

Parish Hall

The need of a hall, a social center for the Parish, had been felt for many years. This desire could not be fulfilled because of other more important improvements which had to be considered first.

However, the opportunity did present itself in 1947, when the Cook County Bureau offered a number of C.C.C. barracks. These buildings were accepted, remodeled and converted into a suitable hall.

The Blessing and Grand Opening of SS. Cyril and Methodius Hall took place on Sunday, June 15th, 1947, at 5:00 P.M. Right Reverend Monsignor George J. Casey, J.C.D., Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago, blessed the new building. The Supervisor of the Catholic Charities of Chicago, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor William A. O'Connor (consecrated as Bishop of Springfield two years later) gave a talk appropriate to the occasion.

In addition to the visiting clergy, the Holy Name Society, the White Eagle Social Club, the Rosary Society, Blessed Face of Jesus Society, St. Cecilia and Guardian Angel Choirs, the school children and altar boys participated in the ceremonies. Mr. Valentine X. Sliwinski was chairman of the program committee.

In 1949, new tile floors were laid in the hall, kitchen and in the White Eagle Club rooms. A sound system was acquired for the hall and canopies were installed over all the entrances in 1951. Adequate electrical wiring for the kitchen and flood lights for the parking area were supplied in 1947.

Constuction of the new School

Rev. Gilewski: The new School

The present pastor, Father Julius E. Gilewski, assumed his duties on June 17th, 1957. Father John Koziol and Stanley Shaw, Diocesan Missionaries, conducted a mission from December 1st to the 15th, 1957. In January of 1958, a two-story building, directly across the street from the church, at 601 Sobieski Street (Fabek's store), was acquired at a cost of $20,000.00. A formal School Building Fund Raising Campaign was inaugurated, under the direction of John V. McCarthy and Associates, of Detroit, Michigan. Men of the parish, organized into a campaign committee, visited all parishioners, and obtained pledges amounting to about $100,000.00. These pledges were to be fulfilled within a period of two years.

On May 25th, 1959, His Excellency, the Most Rev. Archbishop Wm. O'Brien, confirmed a class of 180.

In June of 1959, His Excellency Albert G. Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago, granted permission to build a ten classroom school and a gymnasium, at an estimated cost of $340,000.00. The plans were drawn by the firm of Fox ii Fox, architects. Ground breaking ceremonies took place on Sunday, August 2nd, 1959. Actual work on the building began on August 17th, and all foundations were completed by the first week in October, 1959. Estimated date of completion is April or May, 1960.

Constuction of the new School

And so, if it be the will of God, the children and the teaching Sisters will have full use of modern school facilities in September of 1960. That the earnest hopes and prayers of many may be realized, there remains only the task of finishing the work so eagerly undertaken.

Revised: August 12, 2006