Parish History
St. Veronica Congregation began at the request of Archbishop Messmer, with a gift of land from Veronica and Hans Jorgensen. The name "Veronica" in Greek means "true image." Our parish name is also our parish mission: Imaging Christ to the World.
1925 |
First and earliest record of the beginning of St. Veronica Congregation. Fr. Julius Wermuth served as administrator of St. Veronica along with St. Gerard Parish. |
1926 |
Cornerstone laid for combination of church and school. |
1926 |
Formal dedication of church and two-room school. |
1928 |
Fr. Wermuth left his assignment at St. Veronica. Fr. John Clark served as interim Pastor. |
1929 |
Fr. Raymond Kelly became the first full-time resident Pastor. |
1931 |
Fr. Leo Schiffler appointed Pastor, remained for 15 years. The Pizer home at 3980 S. Whitnall became the first rectory. |
1940 |
Barracks were purchased from Pulaski High School to be used for a school addition. Registration of 1,000 families. |
1945-50 |
Fr. David Ryan was Pastor. Two more barracks were purchased. The Sisters of St. Francis staffed St. Veronica School. |
1950 |
Fr. Gordon Johnson became Pastor. Twenty-four years after the first classes at St. Veronica School, Fr. Johnson oversaw the building of a 17-room school. Fr. Johnson served from 1950-78. Parish acquired the second rectory at 4017 S. Whitnall Ave. |
1952 |
The new school opened. 1,500 families registered. Ten Masses were held each weekend in the basement church and the school hall. |
1960 |
First Church Festival is held. |
1962-64 |
On June 26, 1964, groundbreaking was held for the new church and convent. Buildings at 318E. Norwich were purchased for convent use during construction, later these became the parish offices. |
1965 |
New convent was completed. |
1965 |
A major windstorm caused extensive damage to a portion of the church, and construction was delayed. |
1966 |
The new church was dedicated at the First Mass celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966. The new church seats 1,200 people and is pillarless. The Communion table and altar are imperial black marble. The railing symbolizes the crown of thorns. Risen Christ figure background is Arizona actus Turquoise Stone. |
1976 |
Registered families total 1,950. Original church is now the school library and Johnson Hall is the school gym. First Parish Council was formed. The parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee on October 17, 1976. |
1978 |
Covenant Statement adopted. |
1979 |
Pastoral Team concept approved. First team was appointed. |
1982 |
Renovations of the parish offices and convent were completed. |
1985 |
A mortgage burning celebration was held on October 27. |
1986 |
Fr. Gordon Johnson died. |
1990 |
Church elevator was dedicated. |
1991 |
Parish Mission Statement was approved. |
1992 |
Registered families total 2,200. Dedication and blessing of Parish Center and new classrooms. The convent became the Child Care Center. |
1999 |
Fr. Joseph Frederick retired after 27 years of service. The Parish Center was renamed, The Frederick Parish Center and Gymnasium. The Pastoral Team was dissolved and Very Rev. Thomas Eichenberger was appointed Pastor. |
2000 |
Opened St. Veronica’s Food Pantry. |
2001 |
Fr. Thomas Eichenberger celebrated his silver jubilee as a priest. St. Veronica Congregation celebrates 75 years as a parish. |
2003 |
Fr. Mark Payne becomes Pastor. |
2004 |
S. Veronica School closes; St. Thomas Aquinas Academy opens (East and West campuses). |
2006 |
Fr. Mark Payne was appointed Very Reverend Pastor of District 15. |
2006 |
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy closes the East Campus and consolidates to one location at the current West campus (formerly the St. Veronica School site, 341 E. Norwich St.). |
2007 |
October 28, 2007 Archbishop Timothy Dolan dedicated the “Monument to the Unborn” which is located in front of the church on the Norwich Street side. |
2007 |
Additional parking space added on the WeEnergies lot. |
2007 |
A new Garden Area located by the back parking lot. |
2007 |
Replaced all sidewalks, steps and railings around the church and school. |
2008 |
Replaced St. Thomas Aquinas Academy school building's roof. |
2009 |
Turnaround and accessible parking lot completed to accommodate our parishioners with special needs and our elderly. |
2010 |
Established the Southeast Catholic Religious Formation for Elementary Formation grades K5 through 6; Youth Ministry grades 7 through 10 and Confirmation for the following parishes: Immaculate Conception, Nativity of the Lord, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Paul and St. Veronica. |
2011 |
The church organ is rebuilt and revoiced. A gently used three manual console replaces our two manual console. Pipes and wind chests are rearranged to allow for better sound. A clarinet stop is added. |
2014 |
Last church festival is held after it started 54 years earlier in 1960. |
2014 |
Fr. Britto Suresh is appointed Associate Pastor. Both Pastor and Associate Pastor are shared assisting priests with Nativity of the Lord Parish in Cudahy. Church and parish office chiller replaced. Parking lot repaving project and new gym roof completed. New hymnals were introduced. |
2015 |
Very Rev. Mark Payne received his License in Canon Law. St. Thomas Aquinas Academy celebrates 10 years. Long time Pastor, Fr. Joseph Frederick passed away. |
2016 |
New glass entry doors installed and lighting improved to brighten the Church. |
2016 |
Fr. Carmelo Giuffre is appointed Shared Administrator of St. Veronica and Nativity of the Lord Parishes |
2016 |
St. Veronica, St. Paul, St. Augustine, Nativity of the Lord, Sacred Heart, and Immaculate Conception begin the process of "Envisioning the Future" for the south-side Parishes. |