1909...

The following year, a group of Deerfield's early families gathered in the spacious 18x35' Ender living-room to organize a Catholic Church. Claramount was a favorite gathering place for many of the 300 townspeople. Social activities thrived. Music from the gramaphone set on the porch spun hit tunes of the day like "Yip-l-Addy-l-Ay." The young people danced on the lawn; their parents visited, perhaps discussing William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States, Admiral Peary's discovery of the North Pole, or the celebrated Irish opera tenor, JohnMcCormack who made his American debut that year in "La Traviata." From the extensive porch, they enjoyed the fragrance of the seed and French endive grown on the acreage by Mr. Ender's son, Eugene, whose white frame house had been added to the west in 1906.

Among other families represented at the First organizational meeting at Claramount were the Duffys, Frankens, Karches, Knickerbockers, Kresses, Loves, Ryans, Schneiders, Wolfs and the Zahnles. It was suggested that the two lodges using the Town Hall be contacted, offering to share the cost of decorating.

When negotiations failed, John Ender responded to St. Jerome's observation, "It is ours to offer what we can, His to supply what we cannot." He offered his living room as a place to hold Sunday Mass.

Thus, from the lay viewpoint, Holy Cross was born in the house on the hill, the highest point in South Lake County, just as the first Holy Cross was raised on a hill in Calvary.

A simple altar was placed at the north end of the living-room and furnished with wooden folding chairs, lent by A. H. Mulke, undertaker. The first Mass was celebrated by Reverend Thomas F. Quinn, first pastor of the Deerfield Mission, so designated because of no resident priest. George Karch, Earl Kress, John Schneider and William Zahnle served Mass.

Clara Ender, a charter member of the Altar and Rosary Society formed that year, was the first sacristan. She continued her devoted duties until 1956, when at age 84, she departed for Moline, Illinois.

Arthur Ender, president of the Deerfield State Bank (1922-1927) and postmaster for many years, was head usher for 40 years until his death in 1953.

Through subscription, funds were raised to erect a church on a portion of a plot of land on Waukegan Road, owned by Thomas Duffy, proprietor of a tavern on Highland Park Road (later changed to Deerfield Road). Mr. Duffy donated a 50x150' lot.

On October 28th, 1909, the first Holy Cross Church, located close to the road, was dedicated, bearing the name suggested by Mr. Ender who had fond memories of his boyhood church in Columbus, Ohio.

Officiating at the dedication was the founder of the Mission and then Archbishop of Chicago, His Grace, James Quigley with Rev. Dr. Mueller, chancellor. Besides Father Quinn, pastor, other priests attending were Reverends P. Conway, E. A. Kelley, H. P. Coughlin, J.A. Quinn, F. E. O'Bryan, B. C. Heeney, T. E. O'Shea, W. O'Shea, E. F. Rice, T. Shewbridge, W. L. Kearney, J. D. O'Neill, A. M. Quigley, J. K. Fielding, W. J. Kinsella besides two priests from Techny. The choir was from St. Charles.

The main altar of the first church was presented by Rev. J. D. O'Neill. George Karch gave the St. Joseph altar, in memory of his wife. Mr. M. Jungels donated the Blessed Virgin altar and statue. The altar railing was a gift of the Ender family. The Sacred Heart statue and Christmas Crib were inscribed to the memory of Mrs. Mary Dawson. Mr. J. D. Garrity gave the statute of St. Anthony, with the Little Flower in memory of Mrs. Joseph Pyle. Two memorial windows on either side of the altar were in memory of Matthew Zahnle and Mrs. Wolf.

Raising their voices in song in the first choir were Loretta, Marie and Ruth Kress; Catherine and Martha Karch, Miss M. Hottua, and Sophia Zahnie. Loretta Kress Willman continued as a choir member for 50 years. Eugene Ender was organist for 23 years until his death in 1932. Rose Frost Rugen, who was the predecessor of Bess Rink, replaced him.

Gordon Kress was the first child baptized.

Arthur Pfister and Mary Carolan were the first couple married.

1909...  |  1910 - 1935  |  1936 - 1949  |  1950 - 1961