In 1904, the Czech community in the Lawndale area was growing so rapidly that in February of 1904, Archbishop Quigley appointed Rev. Francis Vanous to organize Blessed Agnes of Bohemia parish at 27th and Central Park to relieve overcrowding at the national parish of St. Ludmilla. Rev. Vanous oversaw the construction of a small brick church, which was dedicated on June 5, 1904. (the old church was located in the area that is now occupied by the gymnasium).
To meet the needs of the parish youth, the pastor constructed a four-room school, which opened in 1905. In 1906, Rev. Joseph Hynek replaced Rev. Vanous. By 1907, the Catholic enrollment had increased to such an extent that Rev. Hynek invited the Sisters of St. Francis to take charge of the school.
When Fr. Hynek retired because of poor health, Rev. Innocent Kestle succeeded him. In 1914, the church was enlarged and a school addition was built at 2645 S. Central Park, which contained 10 classrooms.
With the generous support of his parishioners, Rev. Kestle was able to pay off the parish debt by 1926 and in that year, construction began at the northeast corner of 27th and Central Park for a new church, which was dedicated on Nov. 21, 1926.
By 1930, more than 3,800 persons belonged to Blessed Agnes parish and 500 children were enrolled in the school. To provide larger living quarters for the Sisters, Rev. Kestle acquired a vacant tailor shop at 2658 S. Drake, which was then remodeled for use as a convent.
In 1944, Rev. Martin Krizka was appointed administrator of Blessed Agnes, a post he retained for the next seven years. He directed the construction of the present rectory at 2651 S. Central Park, which was the site of the old parish residence.
In 1953, construction began for a school addition, which contained nine classrooms, a large meeting room, and a gymnasium. This building was dedicated on Oct. 10, 1954. This day also marked the 50th jubilee of Blessed Agnes parish.
In 1969, Rev. Kriska was named pastor emeritus and was succeeded by Rev. Francis T. Pribyl on April 11, 1969. By the early 1970's, Mexicans began to settle in the neighborhood and the parish adjusted to the needs of the community by offering Spanish masses. Since then, the Mexican community in what is now "Little Village" has continued to grow, making St. Agnes the largest Hispanic parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
(Historical information obtained with the help of
Rev. Tim O'Malley and Rev. Francis Pribyl)
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