History

St. Domitilla Parish

When Catholic families in the Hillside-Berkeley area began to reorganize in 1916, the mission moved from a small office in Mount Carmel cemetery to land offered by John Wolf, Hillside’s first president.  Located on the east side of Wolf Road between Butterfield Road and the Chicago/Aurora and Elgin Railroad, this small mission grew to 70 adults and 104 children.

The first priest of St. Domitilla, Father William Agnew, served from 1917-1918.  Under his leadership, two classes made their First Communion.  Father Cavallo, a Mexican refugee priest, succeeded him, but later returned to Mexico.  Father C. Plomin then remained until 1920 when St. Domitilla became a parish. 

On October 17, 1920, Father Oscar Strehl, an appointment by Archbishop Mundelein, said mass for the first time and served the community until 1923.  Within these three years, Eimo and Company, a real estate firm, purchased the Schreiber farm on the west side of Wolf Road.   St. Domitilla moved to a larger facility.  Parishioners from Berkeley would walk along the Great Western tracks, often carrying lanterns at night to light their way to attend mass at this new location.  Moreover, the Sacrament of Confirmation was conferred at St. Domitilla for the first time on November 13, 1921 by Archibishop Mundelein.   When Father Oscar Strehl resigned, the Archbishop transferred the parish to the Servite Fathers of Chicago. 

The parish continued to grow.  By 1948, the construction of a new location at 607 Hillside Avenue, was completed and dedicated by Reverend Francis Wiehl, O.S.M..   By 1956, Reverend C. H. Hanley led a celebration honoring additions to the existing facility.  And in the early 1960’s the growth in church membership demanded more space, which led to the development of the present Church-Rectory-Administration Complex in 1967.  His Eminence, John Cardinal Cody, then officiated the Solemn Blessing of the beautiful new parish on Washington and Hillside Avenue on May 4, 1969.

 From a small mission of 70 adults and 104 children in a small office in Mount Carmel cemetery,  St. Domitilla now serves over 2300 families and those from Hillside, Berkeley, Bellwood, Elmhurst, and Maywood.    It is by God’s providence alone that we have been blessed so graciously.