Szott, Edmund, Rev.In the fall of 1900 permission was sought from Archbishop Feehan of Chicago by a group of zealous Polish people in Kankakee to erect a parish serving the needs of the Polish Catholics in the area. Permission being granted, in November of that same fall. Father Maximillian Kotecki assumed the duties of first pastor of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr.
At that time the flock of Father Kotecki consisted of twenty four families and two single men. Progress was rapid and the burdens of a new parish were shouldered with true Christian Charity. On Independence Day, 1901, the present two story edifice which serves as both church and school was dedicated. To demonstrate their outstanding love and loyalty for their pastor, these few self-sacrificing families mortgaged their own homes to finance the rectory. Poor in purse, they were very rich in their faith.
Father Kotecki was succeeded in December, 1901, by Father F. Nowacki. In 1914 under the Reverend B. Orlemanski, then pastor, the home on the left side of the church building was purchased as a convent for the Sisters. Before this the Sisters occupied two of the class rooms. Under Father Orlemanski the sanctuary was enlarged and a new altar also purchased. During the pastorate of Father S. Koralewski, 1931-1943, the rectory was enlarged and renovated. Father F. Scieszka assumed the guidance of Saint Stanislaus in 1943 and established the first Catholic kindergarten in the city; it continues to serve not only the children of Saint Stanislaus, but many other Catholic children of the community. The present pastor, the Rev. E. Szott, took charge in 1954. He has been assisted by the Franciscan Fathers of Cedar Lake, Indiana, on Sundays.
The parochial school, which hitherto had been conducted by the laymen of the parish in one of the parishioner's homes, was given over in 1910 to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Classes for the 150 pupils are held in a section of the Church building set aside for that purpose. The present principal is Mother Mary Cordia.
From: Edward Pinkowski (2009); Courtesy of Diocese of Joliett, IL