St. Michael
Orland Park IL

We are a community of Catholic people who believe in God’s love for us, manifested through His Son, Jesus.

St. Michael Parish is a gathering of Catholic people who believe in God’s love for us, manifested by His Son Jesus. We commit ourselves to live an invitation of the Lord and struggle through fulfilling His mission here on earth.

We are very proud of our parish, which was established in 1867. We are proud of it, not only because of its long history, but because even today, we have many people who exemplify in their life the ideas of Jesus, and who encourage all of us to live as His followers. We welcome you to join us in Worship, and to join us too in our efforts to serve God and one another in the world in which we live.

 

http://www.saintmike.com/  

 

St. Michael Parish first celebrated Mass on the Feast of St. Michael, September 29, 1867, and has grown into one of the fastest expanding parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

With the rapid growth of the southwest suburbs, and the opening of a major regional shopping center in Orland Park, the parish is experiencing an influx of people of diverse educational, financial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, all blending into the established parish of long time residents. The Original Churches

The original structure of sorts was located at 159th and Will Cook Road on land donated by Matthias Wagner. This site became the St. Michael Cemetery. Shortly thereafter, a white frame church and a two-room, two story school was built on a large tract of farmland donated by John Jungles at 151st and Will Cook Road in the Village of Goodings Grove, Homer Township.

On August 10, 1924, the first Mass was celebrated in the new white frame church at 143rd and Highland Avenue which had been pasture land on the west side of town. On July 5, 1926, the first resident pastor, Rev. William A. Gory, was appointed by His Eminence George Cardinal Mundelein. The School Addition

After World War II, with Rev. Michael Kilbride as pastor, the parish constructed the long awaited grade school. St. Michael School opened in September, 1949, under the auspices of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine, Kentucky. In 1961 and 1962, a new wing was added to the school bringing its classrooms to 24 with 12 religious and 13 lay teachers, thus eliminating the need for a double shift.

Construction of a new church began in 1966. On June 15, 1969, Pastor, Rev. Francis Coyle laid the cornerstone. His Eminence John Cardinal Cody was present. St. Michael Church was dedicated on September 19, 1969, the Feast of St. Michael.

Groundbreaking for a Parish Activity Center took place on January 15, 1980. The Center was dedicated on April 16, 1981, by His Eminence, John Cardinal Cody. The building housed Religious Education offices, Parish Ministries office, Adult Resource Center, a large Commons, seating 300 people which is capable of being partitioned into three separate rooms, a Lower Commons meeting room and storage place, a kitchen which leads to the gymnasium, a youth ministry office and a Learning Media Center for the school. At the time of construction of the building, the ventilation and the sound systems of the gymnasium were improved, the flooring was refinished, and washrooms and changing rooms were added. The New Church

Construction of a new church began in 1966. On June 15, 1969, Pastor, Rev. Francis Coyle laid the cornerstone. His Eminence John Cardinal Cody was present. St. Michael Church was dedicated on September 19, 1969, the Feast of St. Michael.

Groundbreaking for a Parish Activity Center took place on January 15, 1980. The Center was dedicated on April 16, 1981, by His Eminence, John Cardinal Cody. The building housed Religious Education offices, Parish Ministries office, Adult Resource Center, a large Commons, seating 300 people which is capable of being partitioned into three separate rooms, a Lower Commons meeting room and storage place, a kitchen which leads to the gymnasium, a youth ministry office and a Learning Media Center for the school. At the time of construction of the building, the ventilation and the sound systems of the gymnasium were improved, the flooring was refinished, and washrooms and changing rooms were added.