Parish History
About 1853, Father Patrick O'Dwyer became the first resident pastor of St. Patrick Parish, St. Charles. Shortly after this he built the first church in what is now known as Maple Park. This wooden structure was built on the northeast corner of the current Watson and Keslinger Roads, and was then known as “Barney Hill.” This site is about four miles east and south of Maple Park. In these days Maple Park was officially known as Lodi.
Father O’Dwyer said Mass here occasionally for Catholics, many of whom left Ireland in the 1840s during the potato famine. Sometimes priests came from DeKalb – Father John McMullen, later the first Bishop of Davenport, Iowa, and Father John B. Murray, who was pastor in DeKalb in 1861.
This early church was eventually moved to DeKalb. In 1861, Lodi was attached to DeKalb as a mission. Reverend John McMullen erected a new and larger church in Lodi. Lodi became known as Maple Part in 1863.
Father Richard J. McGuire came to Maple Park as the first resident pastor in 1871. In 1899, the Hook and Hastings Organ Company in Boston built a pipe organ for a church in Joliet. When the Joliet parish constructed a new church in 1923 the organ was purchased by St. Mary Parish and moved to the Maple Park Church.
Father John H. Whelan (1913-1918) became pastor in 1913. On September 1, 1913, construction began on the present church and rectory. Mass was celebrated in the chapel attached to the church on February 15, 1914, and in the church itself the following Sunday. Bishop Peter J. Muldoon dedicated the church on June 25, 1914, under the title of St. Mary of the Assumption.
When war was declared, Father Whelan enlisted in the army as chaplain and left the parish in June, 1918. The following July, Father Francis S. Porcella (1918-1939) came to Maple Park as its pastor. He was the resident pastor here for twenty years.
In 1967, under the pastorate of Father James C. Novak, OSB (1961-1969), an Education Center was built. This center, now known as the Novak Center in honor of Father Novak, is still used for youth and adult Religious Education classes, as well as many parish activities. In 1994, under the pastorate of Father Patrick Corbally (1985-1994), the old St. Mary Cemetery south of town was rededicated. Also that year, the Madonna della Strada Shrine was erected in front of the church.
A history and souvenir booklet on the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of our church building on June 25, 2014, was compiled, printed, and assembled by Delores Likeum and volunteers. It contains many pictures and a more detailed history.
Effective June 16, 2021, Father William Antillon serves as pastor of two parishes (St. Mary Parish in Maple Park, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Virgil). Retired Msgr. Thomas Dzielak moved into the St. Mary Parish rectory in July, 2016, and is assisting Fr. Antillon with parish duties.
On August 18, 2021, Fr. William Antillon was installed as pastor of St. Mary's and Ss. Peter & Paul parishes by Bishop David J. Malloy at a Mass held at Ss. Peter & Paul.
As of June 30, 2025, there are approximately 112 families registered at the parish.
Clergy history in Maple Park and St. Mary of the Assumption Parish
| 1851-1861 | Various priests from the Diocese of Chicago (including Rev. William Feeley) |
|---|---|
| 1861 | Rev. John McMullen |
| 186?-1871 | Revs. Murray, Scott, and Walsh (all resided in DeKalb) |
| 1871 | Rev. R.H. McGuire (First resident pastor) |
| 1872-1879 | Rev. James Maloney |
| 1879-1883 | Rev. Paul Halbmaier |
| 1883-1884 | Rev. Otto Groenebaum |
| 1884 | Revs. T. O'Sullivan and Coughlin |
| 1884-1886 | Rev. W.I. Revis |
| 1886-1890 | Rev. James M. Hagen |
| 1890-1891 | Rev. R.H. McGuire (returns-see 1871) |
| 1891-1897 | Rev. Anthony Royer |
| 1897 | Rev. M. Orth |
| 1897-1912 | Rev. F.J. Hartmann |
| 1912-1913 | Rev. Th. Smith |
| 1913-1918 | Rev. John H. Whelan |
| 1918-1939 | Rev. F.S. Porcella |
| 1939-1944 | Rev. Charles Meehan |
| 1944-1961 | Rev. Msgr. Francis Conron |
| 1961-1969 | Rev. James C. Novak, OSB |
| 1969-1970 | Rev. Alfred Kruk |
| 1970-1972 | Rev. James McKitrick |
| 1972-1982 | Rev. William Kriegsman |
| 1982-1985 | Rev. Robert Sweeney |
| 1985-1994 | Rev. Patrick D. Corbally |
| 1994-2006 | Rev. Msgr. William Clausen |
| 2006-2010 | Rev. Joachim Tyrtania |
| 2008-Present | Deacon Gregory Urban (Permanent Deacon) |
| 2010-2011 | Rev. Godwin Asuquo |
| 2011-2014 | Rev. Dennis Morrissy |
| 2015 | Rev. Moises Apostol |
| 2015-2018 | Rev. Perfecto Vasquez |
| July 2016-Present | Rev. Msgr. Thomas Dzielak (retired, in residence) |
| 2018-2021 | Rev. Ariel Valencia |
| 2021-Present | Rev. William Antillon |
