Archdiocese of Chicago Archives & Records Center Classification History Records - Finding Aid Owner Location Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish (Hermitage Ave.) Begin Date 1/1/1933 End Date 12/31/1990 Bulk Dates (yyyy-yyyy) 1970-1990 Processor(s) Malmberg, Laura Date Created 10/3/2011 at 10:39 AM Accession Number 199008201 Number of Boxes 9 Security Unrestricted Access, Archives Copyright Notice No restrictions Collection Language(s) English Page 1 Biographical/Administrative History Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish (Hermitage) was founded in 1891 to serve Bohemian families on the south side of Chicago near the Union Stock Yards. Rev. Thomas J. Bobal celebrated the first Mass on December 20, 1891 at the Irish parish of St. Rose of Lima. In November 1891, Father Bobal purchased the land for the church and began constructing a frame structure for the parish and school on June 10, 1892. The structure was completed in August and the school opened in September. Archbishop Feehan dedicated the parish on October 9, 1892. In 1896, the parish constructed a convent at 5013 S. Hermitage Avenue to house the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate who accepted the invitation to staff Ss. Cyril and Methodius School. Father Bobal lived in part of the frame church until 1897 when a rectory was constructed at 5009 S. Hermitage Avenue. With generous parishioner support, Father Bobal directed the construction of a permanent, Corinthian style church at the northeast corner of 50th and Hermitage Avenue (5011 Hermitage Avenue). Archbishop Quigley dedicated the new structure on October 12, 1913. Father Bobal achieved the title of Right Reverend Monsignor in 1946 and passed away seven years later on April 20, 1953 after 62 years as pastor for Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish. Father Bobal s successor was Rev. William Plachetka, formerly parish pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes. Father Plachetka hired an architect to draw plans for a new parish rectory. On March 10, 1957 Father Plachetka passed away suddenly. Rev. Valerian Rezek, former pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, succeeded Father Plachetka. Under Father Rezek s direction, a sun porch was added to the convent and the church was tuck-pointed. On March 19, 1958 fire gutted the entire sacristy and parts of the sanctuary. The church was cleaned and renovated through the generous help of parishioners, especially the Tabernacle Guild women. Rev. Rezek passed away on November 11, 1964. Associate pastor Rev. Richard J. Tlapa served as parish administrator after Rev. Rezek s death until Rev. James F. Cermak was appointed pastor in January 1965. Father Cermak revitalized the scouting programs, formed a School Board, organized a Teen Club, and encouraged the Tabernacle Guild. Ss. Cyril and Methodius celebrated its diamond jubilee (75th anniversary) on November 5, 1966. Rev. Cermak was named pastor emeritus in February 1971 and passed away on April 9, 1977 after many years of service to the parish. Rev. Charles J. Kouba was appointed pastor on March 8, 1971. Father Kouba and associate pastor Rev. Richard Grimmel continued the renovation work begun under Father Cermak. The Greek cross, tabernacle, lectern, commentator s stand, baptismal font, altar, and priest s table were the work of two parishioners, carpenter Edward Dorencz and cabinetmaker James Pacovsky. In 1977, Father Kouba commissioned JOSHUA, a social research organization, to take a parish survey to determine the parishioners feelings and attitudes toward parish life. The parishioners saw room for improvement in the liturgy, but were otherwise satisfied with parish life. However, the survey recognized a critical issue parish membership. Half of the parishioners said they expected to move out of the parish within five years. The unchurched Catholics who no longer attended Mass on a regular basis were another concern. After receiving the survey results, Father Kouba and parishioners focused on developing goals for parish life and membership. In 1980, the parish served 600 families of many ethnic backgrounds. Father Kouba and associate pastor Rev. John C. Straka worked with priests from 14 i hb i i h di h k f h d C h li i 1980 S C il d h di S h l l d f ff i f
Page 2 declining enrollment and increasing costs. Students wishing to continue their Catholic education transferred to nine area Catholic schools. Ss. Cyril and Methodius parish suffered from declining membership in the 1970s and 1980s because of ethnic and religious changes in the surrounding community. In June 1990, one year shy of its 100th anniversary, the Archdiocese of Chicago closed Ss. Cyril and Methodius. Provenance Accruals Separations Scope & Content The records in this collection comprise 9 archival boxes, totaling 3.75 cubic feet. The largest portion of the collection is Parish Bulletins, some of which are bound and entitled Parish Family, ECHOES, or Parish Bulletin. Another three boxes are devoted to Parish Liturgy Files, which include notes, worksheets, orders of worship, and announcements. The remainder of the collection includes financial reports of the parish and historical records. Box 8, Historical Records, includes correspondence, parish organizations, the 1977 parish survey conducted by JOSHUA, property files, and historical memorabilia. Although most date ranges are presented with the year only, some have months or dates of the month included to aid researchers in locating the exact record they need. For example, many of the bound parish bulletins follow the liturgical year, which starts at Advent (end of November or beginning of December) making it necessary for further clarification of date ranges. During processing, numerous records pertaining to Ss. Cyril and Methodius School and Vicariate IX were separated from the parish collection. The separated records will be processed as separate collections, since they originated with a different creator / office. Series Description Box 1: Parish Bulletins, 1946-1952. Box 2: Parish Bulletins, 1953-20 Nov 1966. Box 3: Parish Bulletins, 27 Nov 1966-1971, 1976-1981, 1983-1984. Box 4: Parish Bulletins, 1985-1990. Box 5: Parish Liturgy File, 1971, 1979-1985. Box 6: Parish Liturgy File, 1986-1988. Box 7: Parish Liturgy File, 1989-1990, n.d. Box 8: Historical Records, 1933-1990. Box 9: Financial Reports, 1947-1951, 1953-1969, 1976-1990. Contacts Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish (Hermitage Ave.) (Client) Box List Box Record Number PRSH/P0120/179 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1946 End Date 6/30/1952 DB Box Number 32396.01 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/179#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) The Parish Family Vol. I. Begin Date 3/1/1946 End Date 2/28/1947 DB Box Number 32396.01
Page 3 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/179#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1946 End Date 12/31/1946 DB Box Number 32396.01 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/179#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) The Parish Family Vol. II. Begin Date 3/1/1947 End Date 3/31/1948 DB Box Number 32396.01 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/179#4 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) The Parish Family Vol. III. Begin Date 3/1/1948 End Date 4/30/1949 DB Box Number 32396.01 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/179#5 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) The Parish Family Vol. IV. Begin Date 4/1/1949 End Date 4/30/1950 DB Box Number 32396.01 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/179#6 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) The Parish Family Vol. VI. Begin Date 9/1/1951 End Date 6/30/1952 DB Box Number 32396.01 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#6 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1983 End Date 12/31/1983 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#5 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1982 End Date 12/31/1982 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#4 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1981 End Date 12/31/1981 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1980 End Date 12/31/1980 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1979 End Date 12/31/1979 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1971 End Date 12/31/1971 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) Parish Family. Begin Date 11/1/1966 End Date 11/30/1967 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1967 End Date 12/31/1967 DB Box Number 32396.03
Page 4 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1968 End Date 12/31/1968 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#4 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1969 End Date 12/31/1969 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#14 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1984 End Date 12/31/1984 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#13 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1983 End Date 12/31/1983 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#12 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1981 End Date 12/31/1981 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#11 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1980 End Date 12/31/1980 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#10 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1979 End Date 12/31/1979 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#9 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1978 End Date 12/31/1978 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#8 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1977 End Date 12/31/1977 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#7 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1976 End Date 12/31/1976 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#6 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1971 End Date 12/31/1971 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/178#5 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1970 End Date 12/31/1970 DB Box Number 32396.03 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) The Parish Family. Begin Date 1/1/1985 End Date 12/31/1985 DB Box Number 32396.04
Page 5 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1985 End Date 12/31/1985 DB Box Number 32396.04 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1986 End Date 12/31/1986 DB Box Number 32396.04 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#4 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1987 End Date 12/31/1987 DB Box Number 32396.04 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#5 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1988 End Date 12/31/1988 DB Box Number 32396.04 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#6 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1989 End Date 12/31/1989 DB Box Number 32396.04 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/180#7 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1990 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.04 Box Record Number PRSH/P0120/177 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1953 End Date 12/31/1966 DB Box Number 32396.02 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/177#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1953 End Date 12/31/1953 DB Box Number 32396.02 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/177#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) ECHOES. Begin Date 10/1/1953 End Date 9/30/1954 DB Box Number 32396.02 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/177#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) Parish Bulletin. Begin Date 12/1/1962 End Date 11/30/1963 DB Box Number 32396.02 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/177#4 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) Parish Bulletin. Begin Date 12/1/1963 End Date 11/30/1964 DB Box Number 32396.02 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/177#5 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) Parish Bulletin. Begin Date 11/1/1964 End Date 11/30/1965 DB Box Number 32396.02 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0120/177#6 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Title (Free Text Part) Parish Bulletin. Begin Date 11/1/1965 End Date 11/30/1966 DB Box Number 32396.02
Page 6 Box Record Number PRSH/P0120/178 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 11/1/1966 End Date 12/31/1984 DB Box Number 32396.03 Box Record Number PRSH/P0120/180 Classification Parish Records - Parish Bulletins Begin Date 1/1/1985 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.04 Box Record Number PRSH/P0210/8 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1971 End Date 12/31/1985 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#7 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1984 End Date 12/31/1984 DB Box Number 32396.05 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/8#8 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1985 End Date 12/31/1985 DB Box Number 32396.05 Box Record Number PRSH/P0210/9 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1986 End Date 12/31/1988 DB Box Number 32396.06 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/9#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1986 End Date 12/31/1986 DB Box Number 32396.06 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/9#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1987 End Date 12/31/1987 DB Box Number 32396.06 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/9#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1988 End Date 12/31/1988 DB Box Number 32396.06 Box Record Number PRSH/P0210/10 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1989 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.07 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/10#1 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1989 End Date 12/31/1989 DB Box Number 32396.07 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/10#2 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Begin Date 1/1/1990 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.07 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/10#3 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Title (Free Text Part) Communal Anointing of the Sick. Begin Date 1/1/1971 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.07
Page 7 Folder Record Number PRSH/P0210/10#4 Classification Parish Records - Parish Liturgy File Title (Free Text Part) Gospel of John in 3 Speaking Parts. Begin Date 1/1/1971 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.07 Box Record Number HIST/H3300/212 Classification History Records - Historical Records Begin Date 1/1/1933 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#1 Classification Administrative Records - Calendar Title (Free Text Part) Calendar: Room Usage. Begin Date 1/1/1975 End Date 12/31/1976 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#2 Classification Legal Records - Closed Wills, Estates & Trust Files Begin Date 1/1/1982 End Date 12/31/1982 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#3 Classification Administrative Records - Correspondence Files Begin Date 1/1/1955 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#4 Classification Administrative Records - Correspondence Files Title (Free Text Part) Correspondence Re: Marital Problems. Begin Date 1/1/1971 End Date 12/31/1989 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#5 Classification History Records - Historical Records Begin Date 1/1/1933 End Date 12/31/1978 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#6 Classification History Records - Historical Records Title (Free Text Part) Historical Records: Parish Organizations. Begin Date 1/1/1975 End Date 12/31/1987 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#7 Classification History Records - Historical Records Title (Free Text Part) Historical Records: Parish Organizations: Cub Scouts. Begin Date 1/1/1974 End Date 12/31/1978 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#8 Classification History Records - Historical Records Title (Free Text Part) Historical Records: Parish Organizations: Parish Council. Begin Date 1/1/1975 End Date 12/31/1987 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#9 Classification History Records - Historical Records Title (Free Text Part) Historical Records: Parish Organizations: Tabernacle Guild. Begin Date 1/1/1968 End Date 12/31/1968 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#10 Classification Administrative Records - Surveys, Studies and Pl Title (Free Text Part) Parish Survey: JOSHUA Begin Date 1/1/1977 End Date 12/31/1977 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#11 Classification Administrative Records - Surveys, Studies and Pl Title (Free Text Part) Parish Survey: JOSHUA Begin Date 1/1/1977 End Date 12/31/1977 DB Box Number 32396.08
Page 8 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#12 Classification Administrative Records - Property, Maintenance Begin Date 1/1/1958 End Date 12/31/1987 DB Box Number 32396.08 Folder Record Number HIST/H3300/212#13 Classification Administrative Records - Real Estate Files Title (Free Text Part) Real Estate: Leases with Chicago Public Schools Begin Date 1/1/1983 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.08 Box Record Number FNCL/F3320/41 Classification Financial Records - Financial Reports Begin Date 1/1/1947 End Date 12/31/1990 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#1 Classification Administrative Records - Annual Reports Begin Date 1/1/1947 End Date 12/31/1963 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#2 Classification Administrative Records - Annual Reports Begin Date 1/1/1976 End Date 6/30/1979 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#3 Classification Administrative Records - Annual Reports Begin Date 7/1/1979 End Date 6/30/1980 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#4 Classification Administrative Records - Annual Reports Begin Date 7/1/1984 End Date 6/30/1990 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#5 Classification Financial Records - Budget Report Begin Date 1/1/1977 End Date 6/30/1983 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#6 Classification Financial Records - Budget Report Begin Date 7/1/1983 End Date 6/30/1990 DB Box Number 32396.09 Folder Record Number FNCL/F3320/41#7 Classification Financial Records - Financial Reports Begin Date 1/1/1964 End Date 12/31/1969 DB Box Number 32396.09 Finding Aid Record Number FIND/6 Classification History Records - Finding Aid Begin Date 1/1/1933 End Date 12/31/1990 End of Report 24W709125001 Dataset Trimmaster