Bill Text: IL HR0432 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates St. Francis Xavier Church of Jerseyville on its 150th anniversary.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-09-09 - Resolution Adopted [HR0432 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0432-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, St. Francis Xavier Church has been described as
standing majestically as the focal point for people entering
Jerseyville; and
WHEREAS, On July 4, 2021, the parish celebrated 150 years
with their sesquicentennial jubilee; and
WHEREAS, The first Catholic Mass in Jerseyville was held
in the William Shepherd home in the fall of 1841; Fathers
Carroll and Hamilton of the Alton Diocese, which included
Jersey County, occasionally visited Jerseyville and held
Masses in private homes and the courthouse; and
WHEREAS, In 1849, it was decided there was a need for a
Catholic church in Jerseyville; it was not until 1857 that a
small frame church was erected, which was dedicated by Bishop
Henry Damian Junker of the Alton Diocese; and
WHEREAS, In the 1860s, a rectory was built, which later
became the home for the Dominican Sisters who staffed the
school for over 100 years, and ground was also purchased for a
parish cemetery; and
WHEREAS, In 1868, a cornerstone was laid for a larger

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church, which is the current St. Francis Xavier Church; the
main body of the church was to be 55 by 100 feet; the inside
height of the ceiling in the center of the nave is 43 feet and
the side aisles are 25 feet; William Embly and Sons were the
architects of the Gothic style church; the body was made of
brick made in Jerseyville, and the stone trimmings came from
the Grafton quarries; the roof was covered with slate
shingles; the cost to build the church was $25,000 and took
three years to complete; and
WHEREAS, On July 4, 1871, the church was dedicated by
Bishop Peter J. Baltes of the Alton Diocese; and
WHEREAS, Father Thomas Mangan became the first resident
priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, and he remained until
1860; and
WHEREAS, The celebratory 150th anniversary Mass was held
on July 4, 2021 and included a keepsake program with pictures,
history, and holy cards; the Vatican also sent an Apostolic
Blessing from Pope Francis; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate St. Francis Xavier Church of Jerseyville on
its 150th anniversary; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the parish as an expression of our esteem and
respect.