RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, St. James Church "Jakubowo," located in the Belmont-Cragin community on the northwest side of Chicago at 5730 West Fullerton Avenue, was founded in 1914; and,
WHEREAS, The first church of St. James parish was a small store at Belden and Parkside Ave. A small barn at the rear of the property was used as a school. Later, a larger store at 2333 N. Mango Ave. was acquired for use as a church, and this building became the center of parish life. Father Kukulski purchased the entire block bounded by Altgeld St., Fullerton Ave., Menard Ave., and Mango Ave. for the future development of St. James parish; and,
WHEREAS, In March 1918, Father Kukulski was named an assistant at St. Adalbert Church and Rev. Francis Marcinek, a former assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in South Chicago, was appointed pastor. Under his leadership, ground was broken at 2430 N. Mango Ave. for a combination church-school structure, the cornerstone of which was laid on May 11, 1919. In 1921, a rectory was built at 2418 N. Mango Ave. and in 1923, the combination building was enlarged. The present convent at 2441 N. Menard Ave. was completed in 1925; and,
WHEREAS, On Apr. 21, 1929, Auxiliary Bishop Bernard J. Sheil dedicated a three story brick building which had been completed at the southwest corner of Altgeld St. and Mango Ave. The first floor of this structure was used as St. James Church; the new combination building also included eight classrooms. Shortly after the dedication, the church quarters in the old combination building at 2430 N. Mango Ave. were converted into an assembly hall with meeting rooms; and,
WHEREAS, Rev. Edward A. Przybylski began his long tenure as pastor of St. James Church in July 1938. With the generous support of his Polish congregation, Father Przybylski was able to finance the construction of a school addition which was dedicated by Samuel Cardinal Stritch on Sept. 15, 1951. On that day, the Cardinal also blessed a memorial to the young men of St. James parish who had served their country during war time. The present rectory at 5730 W. Fullerton Ave. was completed in 1958; and,
WHEREAS, On Dec. 30, 1962, Father Przybylski celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination and the 25th anniversary of his appointment as pastor of this parish; and,
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WHEREAS, On November 29, 1964, at the time of the of the parish's golden jubilee, the people of St. James Church had paid off the parish debt, and had contributed generously to the fund for a new church building which in March 1968, ground for the present church was broken at the northeast corner of Fullerton and Menard Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, Although the parish remains predominantly Polish, it serves the needs of all in the community. As the years have gone by, St. James has adjusted to the changing neighborhood and offers masses in English, Polish, and Spanish; and,
WHEREAS, On Sunday, June 15, 2014, a Jubilee Mass will be held in celebration of their 100th anniversary; and now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 25th day of June 2014 A.D., do hereby recognize St. James Parish on their 100 anniversary; and,
Ariel E. Reboyras Alderman, 30th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation to St. James Parish.