St. Camillus Church
5426 S. Lockwood Ave., Chicago

Parishioners here adapt to surprises. Land for the modest red brick church was purchased in 1919 across the street from Meadows Golf Course— which later became the fastest growing airport in the nation— Midway!

When defense workers at nearby aircraft factories during WWII asked for a 2:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, one was initiated. (It continued until the 1960s.)

Originally a Polish parish, it is now culturally homogenized, but there are Polish Masses, devotions to Our Lady of Fatima in Polish and an all-night vigil on first Saturdays.

Last month the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth departed the parish after 80 years, but tradition abides: for instance, Fridays at 6:30 p.m., a Mother of Sorrows novena is recited in English and the Divine Mercy is honored.

On July 14 devotions before St. Camillus’ relic will again draw crowds for his feast day, and songs will rise heavenward accompanied on the church pipe organ, or will it be on the synthesizer? They adapt to surprises.

Pastor: Father Peter Galek
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m. • Sundays 9 a.m. and noon in English;
7:30 and 10:30 a.m. in Polish - 7 p.m. bi-lingual
Phone: (773) 767-8183
Parish founded: 1921