The First Years of Holy Cross and How the Parish Was Formed in 1929

Symbolically, the Catholic Church in Deerfield was born on a site that is the highest point in South Lake County.

Thirty years after the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey made a topographical survey of the forested land from this point for the railroad in 1871, John C. Ender brought his Deerfield bride, Catherine Horenberger back to town from Chicago with their family. He purchased 40 acres of land and using the oaks hewn from it, built "Claramount," the handsome, chalet-inspired house on the hill that still stands facing Waukegan Road, a former Indian trail.

Purchased by the parish in 1956, this historic house, renovated throughout in 1957, housed the seven Sisters of Loretto: Sister Norbertina, principal of Holy Cross School, and Sisters Anna Marie, Evangeline, Fidelia, Josephine, teachers; Sister Mary Raymond, music teacher; and Sister Margaret Catherine, housekeeper.

In 1903, Deerfield was incorporated as a village with Mr. Ender the first village president, serving for 12 years. At this time, Deerfield Catholics attended Mass and received the Sacraments at either St. Patrick's Church on Everett in West Lake Forest or Immaculate Conception Church in Highland Park. Reverend J. D. O'Neill, D.D., pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, started weekly Catechism classes that were held in the Deerfield Town Hall in the Fall of 1908.

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