ST. Gilbert Historical Highlights

June 1930  George Cardinal Mundelein named Rev. Joseph F. Barrett (1930-1941) pastor of newly founded parish of St. Gilbert in Grayslake. (40 families)

July 24, 1932  Dedication of new Church (present renovated chapel)

July 1941  Rev. Daniel R. Harnett appointed second pastor (1941-1952)

Sept 15, 1944  Classes open St. Gilbert School; B.V.M. sisters staff school.

Nov 6, 1949  Samual Cardinal Stritch dedicates St.Gilbert School

Aug 1952  Upon Fr. Harnett's death, Rev. Maurice W. Foley named third pastor of St. Gilbert (1952-1959).

Sept 1954  520 parish families, 492 children in school

June 5, 1955  Parish Silver Jubilee celebrated.

July 1955  Prince of Peace in Lake Villa organized territory which had belonged to St.Gilbert.

June 8, 1958  Fund raising campaign for mission church, a new convent, and multi-purpose room in school. (800 families)

Dec 1959  Rev. Pierce Joyce appointed fourth pastor. (1959-1967).

July 1960  Groundbreaking for new convent; completed in April 1961.

April 11, 1965  Groundbreaking for construction of new church.

Christmas Eve, 1965  First Mass celebrated in new church.

Oct 16, 1966  Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Hillenger dedicated St.Gilbert Church.

Nov 1967  Rev. John P Sullivan died, Rev. Robert W. Mockenhaupt appointed the sixth pastor of St.Gilbert. (1968-1975) 1,063 families.

May 1974  Chester Kozuchowski ordained first permanent deacon of St.Gilbert.

Mar 1975  Rev. Harold P Voss appointed seventh pastor. (1975-1990).

June 22, 1980  John Cardinal Cody visits St.Gilbert for Golden Jubilee.

Aug 1983  Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth come to staff school.

Jan 1990  Fr. Voss retires and Rev. Robert W. Beaven appointed by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin as eigth pastor of St.Gilbert.

Feb 1992 Cardinal Bernardin creates new parish in Warren Township made up partly of territory that had been St.Gilbert.

May 2, 1994  First Mass celebrated in newly renovated chapel.

June 26, 1994  Joseph Cardinal Bernardin comes to rededicate remodeled Chapel and Chapel Hall. (2,093 families).

Sept 1995  Purchase of new convent for Sisters 417 Yorshire

Aug 1996  Classes open in renovated Junior High Building.

Spring 1999  "Vision for the Future" campaign began goal $4 million
                    Nov 1999 raised $1.75 million in pledges 

Spring 2000  Rectory addition completed; groundbreaking for new school addition.

"Vision for the Future" Phase 1 construction accomplishments:
    Four new classrooms
    Link between the Junior High building with the main building
    A large multi-purpose room for parish ministries
    Handicapped accessible and elevator
    New kitchen and storage area
    A new playground
    A new parking lot addition
    Remodeling of the rectory

2003
"Vision for the Future" Phase 2 ($2.8 million) plans include:
    Remodeling of the worship space
        new seating arrangement closer to alter
        new pews, lighting, sound, gathering area, choir area
        new Baptistery, covered entrance, stained glass windows
    Completing a new Youth Center and Minister Office
    Completing two new classrooms

2005  75th Anniversary