Published: July 14, 2008 09:36 am      

Catholics mark 150th year of first church

DANVILLE — A simple stone at Holy Family Catholic Church is more important than it might appear.

The worn threshold stone can be traced to the first Catholic church in Vermilion County — St. Patrick’s, built in 1858. St. Patrick and St. Joseph parishes later combined to form Holy Family.

The stone also is the second oldest Christian relic in Danville, according to the Rev. John J. Flattery, author and historian. The oldest is the bell at First Presbyterian Church, he said.

“Our history in town is so interesting,” said Flattery, former pastor at Holy Family.

This weekend, people attending Masses at Holy Family will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Catholic church.

The Rev. Ted Pracz, pastor at Holy Family, will mention the event during Masses on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

“Parishioners can cherish the memory and pay honor to the pioneers of the faith who came to this country,” Flattery said, “and built churches and schools, which we have inherited and from which we have benefited.”

To help people appreciate the church’s history, two books written by Flattery will be available at the church entrance. The first volume, “Our Holy Family,” details the long history of St. Patrick’s, St. Joseph’s and Holy Family. The second, “Our Holy Family — Its Sacred Art,” focuses on the history behind the stained-glass windows at Holy Family.

Mary Rothery, parish secretary, said the books sold well when they first came out.

Now, referring to Flattery, she said, “He’s trying to reach a new group and get them out front again. There’s history behind the windows.”

The threshold stone in front of Holy Family’s entrance is about 6-by-2 ½ feet and about 7 inches thick. It’s surrounded by a chain fence and flowers. A bronze plaque reads: “This stone was originally used for the entrance to the first St. Patrick Catholic Church in Danville. 1858-1937.”

The stone was part of the original St. Patrick Church. In 1937, the Rev. Francis Cleary recovered the stone and placed it next to the second St. Patrick Church.

St. Patrick’s was established in 1858 as a mission of St. Mary’s in Champaign. St. Joseph’s was established 10 years later to serve the German-speaking community. It was located at Green (now Sager) and College streets.

The original St. Patrick’s at Bryan Avenue and Elizabeth Street was used until 1880, when the growing parish built a larger church. However, the new church was destroyed by fire a year later.

The year after that, another new church was built in its place and that St. Patrick’s stood at the southwest corner of Main and Park streets for 98 years.

In 1913, St. Paul’s on North Walnut and St. John’s in Tilton (which later closed) were created.

In 1978, Holy Family was created from St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s parishes, and a new building was dedicated in 1981.

Twenty new stained-glass windows were added to the church in 1992. One of the windows contains a picture of the old brick St. Patrick’s, which also became the first St. Patrick School.

Windows from both St. Patrick and St. Joseph also were installed in the new building, emphasizing their common heritage.

Referring to the Catholic pioneers, Flattery said, “We treasure that faith that they brought to us, which we have received and which we now cherish and joyfully share with others.”



BOOKS ON SALE

Two books about Holy Family Catholic Church are available at the church, 444 E. Main St. The first volume, “Our Holy Family,” is a history of the church published in 2006; it costs $10. The second, “Our Holy Family — Its Sacred Art” is an updated parish history focusing on the stained-glass windows and released last year; it costs $5.

To purchase a book or for more information, call the church at 431-5100.