Historical Timeline
- 1896
- Father Wilhelm Grutza, Pastor, commissions architect Erhard
Brielmaier to design plans for a new church resembling St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome. Father Grutza purchases U.S. Post Ofiice and Customs
House in Chicago. Materials shipped by 500 flatcars to Milwaukee.
- 1901
- Formal dedication of St. Josaphat Church.
- 1910
- Conventual Franciscan Friars assume ownership and pastoral care of
parish at the request of Archbishop Messmer.
- 1928
- Artists Conrad Scmitt and Gonippo Raggi complete the interior.
- 1929
- Pope Pius XI declares St. Josaphat Church the third basilica in the
United States.
- 1991
- The St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation is formed and undertakes a
capital campaign for the restoration and renovation of this historic
landmark.
- 2000
- Basilica of St. Josaphat celebrates the Holy Year of the Great
Jubilee with the opening of the Pope John Paul II Pavilion (Basilica
Visitors' Center).
Pastors of the Parish and Rectors of the Basilica
- 1888-1901
- Rev. Wilhelm Grutza
- 1901-1907
- Rev. Anthony Pradzinski
- 1907-1910
- Rev. Joseph Knitter
- 1910-1914
- Very Rev. Hyacinth Fudzinski, OFM Conv.
- 1914-1942
- Very Rev. Felix Baran, OFM Conv.
- 1942-1948
- Very Rev. Paul Czubaj, OFM Conv.
- 1948-1951
- Very Rev. Bronislaus Swiszcz, OFM Conv.
- 1951-1957
- Very Rev. Gabriel Ignaszak, OFM Conv.
- 1957-1963
- Very Rev. Paul Czubaj, OFM Conv.
- 1963
- Very Rev. Bartholomew Snella, OFM Conv.
- 1963-1966
- Very Rev. Eugene Piasecki, OFM Conv.
- 1966-1970
- Very Rev. Constantine Zielinski, OFM Conv.
- 1970-1972
- Very Rev. Ralph Vala, OFM Conv.
- 1972-1975
- Very Rev. James Kowalski, OFM Conv.
- 1975-1979
- Very Rev. Anselm Romb, OFM Conv.
- 1979-1987
- Very Rev. Thaddeus Wiktorek, OFM Conv.
- 1987-1994
- Very Rev. Michael Rozewicz, OFM Conv.
- 1994-2005
- Very Rev. William P. Callahan, OFM Conv.
- 2005-2010
- Very Rev. James M. Jankowski, OFM Conv.
- 2010-
- Very Rev. Michael J. Glastetter, OFM Conv.