Parish History

• St. Elizabeth Seton Parish was founded on July 1, 1986.
• Parishioners named St. Elizabeth Seton after America’s first native-born Saint. She was the founder of the Sisters of Charity.
• Bishop Joseph Imesch celebrated the first Mass at Scott School on July 5, 1986.
• Fr. Tony Nugent served as the founding Pastor from 1986 to 1995.
• Initially, 228 families were registered.
• Masses were celebrated at Scott School and the parish offices were located at College Square Mall.
• Sunday Masses moved to Madison Jr. High School on Easter, 1987 with some summer Sunday Masses celebrated at Kennedy Jr. High School.
• Holy Day Masses were celebrated at Sacred Heart Convent in Lisle.
• Baptisms and First Communions took place at St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle.
• Funerals were held at St. Margaret Mary Church in Naperville.
• In July 1987, Sr. Frances McCarron, IBVM joined the Staff as Pastoral Associate. Sr. Frances was with us from 1989 to 1996 and then again from 2002 to 2006.
• Our own Religious Education program began in September, 1987 with Sr. Patricia Thompson as Director from 1987 to 2001.
• In June 1988, Fr. John Baluff was assigned as Parochial Vicar. (1988-1993)
• Groundbreaking for the current church building occurred on September 17, 1989. The number of registered families had grown to 1,130.
• December 18, 1990, Bishop Joseph Imesch dedicated the Church and the Worship Space. The Church and Worship Space continued to be a work in progress.
• In June 1993, Fr. Mark Jendrysik was appointed as Parochial Vicar. (1993-1996)
• A new Rectory was acquired in Bolingbrook in May 1994 to make room for additional office space in the Parish Center.
• In June 1995, Fr. Ernest Norbeck was named Pastor. (1995-2006)
• In February 1996, Fr. James Radek was appointed as Parochial Vicar. (1996-2002)
• Bishop Joseph Imesch consecrated the present altar and re-dedicated the Worship Space in February 1997.
• The Saint’s mural by artist Lillian Brulc began in March, 1997. (Click here for info and pictures)
• The stained glass windows in the Worship Space were installed in the spring of 1998, the Great Hall was completed, and the parish had grown to 2,300 registered families. (Click here for info and pictures)
• St. Elizabeth Seton Preschool opened in September, 1999. In 2007, it became a satellite location of All Saints Catholic Academy until 2014.
• Permanent seating in the Worship Space was installed in March, 2000.
• In the summer of 2001, renovation to the Worship Space occurred which included the Reredos, a new altar platform, and fresh painting. The Crucifix was added and unveiled at the Good Friday Service in April, 2002.
• The Pope John Paul II Perpetual Adoration Chapel opened on April 14, 2002.
• In August 2005, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish and St. Thomas the Apostle opened All Saints Catholic Academy.
• Fr. Thomas Paul was appointed as the third Pastor in June, 2006.
• The 20th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish was celebrated in July, 2006.
• In 2007, the exterior of the church was resided, with an exterior cross installed. Stations of the Cross were added, the daily Mass Chapel was furnished and implemented, the Reconciliation Room was renovated and the Holy Family statue was added to the church interior.
• In 2008, a new organ was installed and dedicated, the Baptismal font marble liner was installed, along with an Ambre, and a statue of Jesus and the Children was added to the Narthex.
• A statue of St. Elizabeth Seton was installed in the church in October, 2008. In 2009, the St. Elizabeth Seton Shrine was completed with the addition of a relic case and petition book.
• The Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Experience for adults was introduced in the parish.
• In June, 2009, the first priest from St. Elizabeth Seton parish, Dindo Billote, was ordained for the Diocese of Joliet.
• Fr. Richard Smith was appointed as the fourth Pastor in August 2010.
• The 25th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish was celebrated in 2011.
• Easter 2013, Sanctus Bells were added to the Liturgies.
• In May 2013, the Strategic Planning process began with a Strategic Plan to take place 2014-2019.
• Fr. Scott Huggins was appointed as the fifth Pastor in June, 2016.