Our History:
The Church building of St. Ignatius of Antioch is of significant historical interest in itself, as, having been erected in 1863 as a denominational meeting place, it is one of the earliest structures within the town. The timbers of the building were hand hewn by men whose descendants are members of the present congregation.
Before the establishment of St. Ignatius Mission Church in 1915, there had been no parish in this area for many years. From 1871 to 1900, St. Mary’s Church in Spring Grove, and another mission church at Wilmot, WI. Were in existence at about the same time. Descendants of the members of these Missions are now members of St. Ignatius Parish.
This mission church, when organized in 1915 was named the Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch after the third bishop of Antioch in Asia Minor who wrote letters or epistles about 110 A.D. enroute to his martyrdom in Rome. These letters are still preserved.
The old bell hanging in the church belfry pealed forth almost a hundred years ago to announce the glad tidings that the bitter Civil War was at last over. Its clear tones still summon the congregation to services today, and are augmented by a choir of beautiful chimes, a memorial to the late Mrs. Ernest Brook.
The first Confirmation Class at St. Ignatius was presented in June 1916 by the Rev, Edward S. White, founder and first Priest of the mission. These Confirmants were; Ida Osmond, Carolyn Horan, Lester Osmond, Susan R. Webb, Eva M. Kaye, Mary L. Smart, Mrs. J.B. Fields, Pauline Smith, Emma Simons, Thomas Somerville, Jane E. Sibley, Mrs. F.O. Hawkins, William Osmond, Christian R. Kelly, Robert S. Kelly and Charles E. Kelly. The first infant baptized in St. Ignatius Church was William E. Brook, now a vestryman.
The Women’s Guild was organized in 1915, as was the now rapidly expanding Church Sunday School.
In 1924 the parish house was given by the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, and moved here. At about the same time the Rectory was purchased, and the church was extensively remodeled.
The parish is notable for the stability of its congregation; most of the parishioners were born in Antioch Township or nearby, and most have parents and grandparents who were born here.
The Parish Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch was officially made a Parish Church by the Diocese of Chicago on May 8th, 1951.
The Church building of St. Ignatius of Antioch is of significant historical interest in itself, as, having been erected in 1863 as a denominational meeting place, it is one of the earliest structures within the town. The timbers of the building were hand hewn by men whose descendants are members of the present congregation.
Before the establishment of St. Ignatius Mission Church in 1915, there had been no parish in this area for many years. From 1871 to 1900, St. Mary’s Church in Spring Grove, and another mission church at Wilmot, WI. Were in existence at about the same time. Descendants of the members of these Missions are now members of St. Ignatius Parish.
This mission church, when organized in 1915 was named the Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch after the third bishop of Antioch in Asia Minor who wrote letters or epistles about 110 A.D. enroute to his martyrdom in Rome. These letters are still preserved.
The old bell hanging in the church belfry pealed forth almost a hundred years ago to announce the glad tidings that the bitter Civil War was at last over. Its clear tones still summon the congregation to services today, and are augmented by a choir of beautiful chimes, a memorial to the late Mrs. Ernest Brook.
The first Confirmation Class at St. Ignatius was presented in June 1916 by the Rev, Edward S. White, founder and first Priest of the mission. These Confirmants were; Ida Osmond, Carolyn Horan, Lester Osmond, Susan R. Webb, Eva M. Kaye, Mary L. Smart, Mrs. J.B. Fields, Pauline Smith, Emma Simons, Thomas Somerville, Jane E. Sibley, Mrs. F.O. Hawkins, William Osmond, Christian R. Kelly, Robert S. Kelly and Charles E. Kelly. The first infant baptized in St. Ignatius Church was William E. Brook, now a vestryman.
The Women’s Guild was organized in 1915, as was the now rapidly expanding Church Sunday School.
In 1924 the parish house was given by the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, and moved here. At about the same time the Rectory was purchased, and the church was extensively remodeled.
The parish is notable for the stability of its congregation; most of the parishioners were born in Antioch Township or nearby, and most have parents and grandparents who were born here.
The Parish Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch was officially made a Parish Church by the Diocese of Chicago on May 8th, 1951.
