1961 - Present

S T V -  St. Thomas of Villanova (STV) is translated into Spirit, Thanksgiving and Vision. These are the qualities that marked the inception of our parish and we pray that we will be able to continue in that same direction.

1961 —  Cardinal Albert Meyer appointed Father John J Wall pastor. Fr. Wall named our parish St. Thomas of Villanova.

1962 —  The Women's Club was formed. First parish picnic was held in Barrington Park. Fr. John Wall passed away. Fr. Francis Waldron was appointed pastor. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place for the school building. Elementary CCD classes began in parishioners' homes.

1963 —  The rectory (1138 Anderson) and the convent (1152 Anderson) were purchased. The first mass was celebrated in the church space located in the school. Staffed by three Sinsinawa Sisters. Sr. Josef Riordan, Principal, Sr. Carolus Sciase and Sr. Amatus (Susanne) Klein, St. Thomas of Villanova School opened with grades 4, 5, and 6 in September.

1967 —  Fr. James J. Rowley appointed Pastor.

1969 —  New church building was dedicated.

1970 —  The Parish Council and the Board of Education began.

1971 —  The Home School Association met for the first time.

1972 —  The first permanent Deacons, John Pistone and John Richard, were ordained. The SPRED religious education program for exceptional children began. The first lay principal, Charles Swangren, was hired.

1973 —  The first kindergarten religious education program was initiated, and we were the first parish in the Chicago Archdiocese to have a family religious education program.

1974 —  Fr. Jim Wheaton was the first priest ordained from St. Thomas Parish.

1975 —  The initial "Sharing Parish" parish progarm began. "Compassion Ministry" (now our Ministry of Care) was created.

1979 —  "Christ Renews His Parish" program began.

1980 —  Fr. Ray Yadron appointed associate pastor.

1983 —  Forty-six years after his ordination, Fr. James Rowley announced his retirement. Fr. Walter Huppenbauer was appointed pastor.

1988 —  Long-range plan indicates need for additional space.

1991-1993 —  1988 needs reassessed and confirmed. Architectural firm does preliminary design. Floodway identified.

1994 —  Fr. Raymond Yadron appointed Pastor.

1995-1996 —  Parish completes, "I HEARD THE LIGHT" Capital Campaign. Church improvements included new art glass windows, two new sound systems, and additional interior lighting.

1997-1998 —  New flood way boundaries were approved by Palatine. Process Design Committee conducts extensive needs assessment.

1999 —  Newman Architecture retained for master plan. STV accepted as a pilot parish in the Archdiocesan Millennium Campaign, "Sharing Christ's Gifts." Resource Services, Inc. (RSI) retained as campaign consultants. Town Hall Meeting; Capital Stewardship Campaign Committee formed.

2000 —  Archdiocese accepted Master Plan. Approved Master Plan presented to parish. Capital Stewardship Campaign began. Frederick Quinn Corporation hired as General Contractor.

2001 —  Parish leadership unanimously decided to move ahead with entire scope of Master Plan. Creative Resource Development (CRD) hired for phase II campaign.

2002 —  Groundbreaking ceremony on March 17.

2003 —  Achieved 94% of Campaign Goal....Great Room Dedicated.

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