Divine Savior Church

Divine Savior Church is a church located in Norridge, Illinois. It has functioned since 1955 and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Church History

The parish was begun in July 1955, at the direction of Cardinal Samuel Stritch by Fr. Walter C. Morris. Fr. Morris was responsible for building a wonderful church/school building that has served the Norridge community very well.

In April 1975, Fr. Morris retired, and Cardinal John Cody appointed Rev. William A. Schackmuth as pastor. He served the parish for 17 productive years. A parish council was begun, and the parishioners who had helped build and support the church now had a formal voice in its operation. Fr. Schackmuth retired in June 1991.

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin appointed Rev. Stephen J. Tebes as the 3rd pastor of Divine Savior Parish. During his tenure, a Summerfest was begun that, over the past eleven years, has not only netted the parish important financial gains, but also helped to bring the parish and Norridge community together. However in 2005, Divine Savior School was forced to close due to lack of enrollment and funds. In 2009, The Academy of Saint Priscilla at Divine Savior opened at the former Divine Savior School campus. Saint Priscilla School closed a year earlier and their school building was leased to a Chicago Public School. The Academy is unique to the Archdiocese in that it specializes in differentiated instruction and a project-based approach in a Montessori fashion. The school is open for 3-8 years olds and plans to extend. However, the school is not operating as Divine Savior School.

In fall 2004, Fr. Tebes was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The following year, Cardinal Francis George appointed Rev. Louis J. Cameli as the 4th pastor of Divine Savior Parish. Fr. Cameli took steps to ensure that the Church would remain prosperous in the coming years. Fr. Tebes took on the role of associate pastor and died in spring 2006. When Fr. Cameli left to attend to diocesan business, Cardinal George appointed Rev. Richard J. LoBianco.

Church Pastors

1. Reverend Walter C. Morris (1955-1975)

2. Reverend William A. Schackmuth (1975-1991)

3. Reverend Stephen J. Tebes (1991-2005)

4. Reverend Louis J. Cameli (2005-2009)

5. Reverend Richard J. LoBianco (2009-present)

External links

• Divine Savior Church website