History

The first Catholic Church in Savanna was the original public school building located on the corner of Third and Van Buren Streets. It was purchased in November 1870. In 1880, it was sold and Turner Hall, located on the corner of Third and Quincy Streets, was purchased. In that same year, Savanna received its first resident pastor, Fr. George Ratz, a Lutheran convert and native of Freeport. He built a rectory on land adjacent to the church and bought four acres in the Chestnut Park area of town for a cemetery.

Fr. Francis J. Antl became pastor in May 1884. He was remembered most for his holiness and his extra-ordinary love for his people. He immediately built a school and entrusted it to Religious Sisters. Knowing where the town would grow, in 1896 he started to build the present Church, on the property at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Fifth Street. In spite of just a few members and the scarcity of money, the church was finished and it opened with a solemn Mass on August 27, 1899. He then built a rectory. Fr. Antl died in May, 1926 after serving forty two years. Till this time, we still try to gather more official testimonies of his Christian and priestly exemplary life.

Fr. William McGuire succeeded Fr. Antl. He had all the parish property, including the cemetery, surveyed and he purchased the convent building. In 1928, Fr. John P. Quigley succeeded Fr. McGuire. He remodeled the rectory and the convent. Fr. Edward A O'Brien was appointed pastor in January 1939. He did well in reducing the parish debt and working with the growing Hispanic population.

Fr. Henry L. Weckerle holds the distinction of being the second longest serving leader of the parish. He was the pastor from 1966 until his untimely death in 1986 of a crash in his own airplane. Fr. Weckerle was known for his kindness to those who were facing adversity and his firm fiscal management practices.

Fr. Vincent Shindelar became the pastor in 1986. He started to organize the Parish Pastoral Council and initiated plans for a new parish center. Fr. James Tranel was the pastor from 1991 to 1993. Fr. Tranel had an ability to uplift the members of the parish. He inspired more parishioners' individual participation in the maintenance and improvements of the campus.

Fr. Joseph Jarmoluk became the pastor in 1993. Aside from his personal and pastoral ministry, he spearheaded the construction of the new St. John the Baptist Parish Center. With joy and hope the community had its dedication and blessing on August 25, 1996 with the presence of Bishop Thomas Doran. Because of his great works and love for the Church, he was recently given the title of Monsignor.

Fr. Timothy Seigel succeeded Fr. Jarmoluk in 1998. Fr. Tim was instrumental in enhancing the lay ministries of the parish. He also excelled in inspiring parishioners in supporting urgent Church repairs and in reducing the parish debt.

Fr. Walter J. Ryan became the pastor in 1945. He completely redecorated the church and made improvements in the other buildings. He was still able to eliminate the parish debt and build up finances. Fr. Edward J. McIsaac succeeded Fr. Ryan in 1952. He initiated additional needed repairs to the school and rectory. Also, during his tenure, a new altar was consecrated by Bishop Lane. Fr. Francis P. Kennedy was the pastor from 1963 to 1966. He was especially attentive to the well being of the health of the parishioners.