One Bread, One Body
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February 26, 2023
Food Pantry suggested item for March is paper products. Contact Janice Allgood, 309-244-8685 with ???
February 19, 2023
ADA Update: Goal: $20,656 Pledged: $22,165
The Delavan Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., located at 212 South Locust, Delavan Township Building. February’s suggested item is canned fruit. Contact Janice Allgood, 309-244-8685 with ???
Our Music Director is retiring as of April 30, 2023. If you know of someone who can play the organ or piano have them contact the office at 309-244-8516 on Mondays or Thursdays or email [email protected]
January 15, 2023
Five First Saturday Devotions insert from today's bulletin.
In 1859, early Catholics, James Ryan, George Leoni, and Daniel Reardon initiated meetings with Fr. Maher of Lincoln to start organizing a parish. Meetings were held in the homes of members and Mass was celebrated in the community building, Delavan House, until the first church was built.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Delavan, Illinois, was established in 1867. The first church was built on the northeast corner of Second and Cedar streets on land donated by James and Margaret Hayes-Ryan. The first parish house stood on Fourth Street near Locust. The second parish house was built on Cedar Street across from the first church.
The current church was built in 1906 and dedicated on May 5th, 1907, under the direction of Rev. A. A. Stapleton, Pastor and the Most Rev. E. M. Dunne, Bishop of Peoria. Final cost of the church was $18,570.13. A credit balance of $102 was set aside for a new residence to be built later. That was built in 1910. Funds to build the church came from Catholic and non-Catholic donations, 1905-1909 Thanksgiving Festivals, a 1906 chicken supper, and a 1906 Winkel party.
The church was renovated and remodeled in 1959 and the chime system was added. The basement was excavated in 1961 to house the parish center. As a result of Vatican II, the interior underwent major renovation in the 1970's including a new altar with the priest facing the congregation, removal of the statues, new pews, new Stations of the Cross, and carpeting. The latest renovation was in the late 1990's by Deprato Rigali Studios of Chicago.
Fr. Andrew A. Stapleton (1909-1917) was a native of Ireland and was a principal of a school in India before coming to Peoria and being ordained as a Catholic priest. He was appointed pastor of St. Mary, Delavan, in 1905. In 1909, he organized St. Joseph Parish, Hopedale, and the church was built under his direction in 1911.
He served as pastor of both St. Mary and St. Joseph until August of 1917.
Fr. Michael Adrie, SMA (2022-present) currently serves as pastor for both St. Mary and St. Joseph.