Chicago Area and St. Teresa of Avila Parish
Post Ice Age
Lakes, Rivers, Plains, Wetlands, Moraines
Native Americans
May 17, 1673
Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette, S.J. and five other men depart from Mission de Sainte Ignace on the Strait of Mackinac
June 17, 1673
Connecting through the Wisconsin River, the travelers discover the Mississippi River
September 1673
Joliet, Marquette and their donnes portage to the Chicago River, site of present day Chicago. Chicago recorded history begins.
1776
The Chicago area becomes American
1785
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable relocates to the area from Detroit
1795
President Washington clears the Ohio Valley of Native Americans to open Northwest Territory to immigration, commerce and trade
1824
Travelers moving along the shore of Lake Michigan connect with major trails:
Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue
February 11, 1835
Chicago incorporated as a town
1837
Army Post joins Indian settlement at Armitage and Clybourn
1843
Diocese of Chicago decreed by Pope Gregory XVI that includes entire State of Illinois
1853
Chicago boundaries expand to Fullerton, 22nd Street, Western Avenue and Lake Michigan
October 8, 1871
Great Chicago Fire begins
1889
* Property in Hargood’s Subdivision acquired by the Archdiocese to establish St. Teresa Parish to serve German Catholics
July 17, 1889
* Rev. Matthias Barth arrives to begin church building while residing at 2024 N. Clifton
May 25, 1890
Three story church and school dedicated at 1946 N. Osgood (Kenmore)
Sisters of Charily open elementary school
May 1, 1893
Columbian Exposition opens
May 5, 1893
Crash of financial markets and banks
October 28, 1893
Assasination of Mayor Carter Harrison
1903
St. Teresa Parish Hall opens at 1950 N. Osgood
1921
Finished school and convent dedicated
November 19, 1939
50th Parish Anniversary celebrated:
These years included WWI, the Great Depression and concerns about another world war
1940 Onward
Changing neighborhood, culture and economy
March 29, 1959
Fire Sweeps through St. Teresa’s Church and School
March 4, 1963
New Church building celebrated on the corner of Armitage and Kenmore
2002
New Parish Center opens
2014
Renovation of St. Teresa’s Church begins
2015
St. Teresa’s Church renovation complete
Rededication – consecration – blessing – etc.
The Future
Continuation of outreach services and the building of our Catholic community
