St.Agnes of Bohemia Parish (Archdiocese of Chicago) is a community that practices and shares its Catholic faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith is lived through a spiritual and sacramental life, teaching the faith, working for justice and peace, and sharing our Christian values.

In 1904, Father Francis Vanous was granted authorization to start a new parish for the people in the area known as Lawndale. The Czech people were moving to this new area and there was a need for a new parish. The church was built and blessed on July 5, 1904. The first group of parishioners selected Agnes as the church's patroness. At the time, it was named Blessed Agnes. Father Francis Vanous was the first pastor and retired in November 1906. Our school was opened in November 1904.

Our parish continued to grow... In 1912, under the administration of Father Kestl, the first Parish Bulletin was started. That year, they also added a second floor to the school and convent. By 1914, the church had become too small for the people attending Mass and the planning to construct a new church began. Eleven years later, in 1925, the funds had been gathered and construction was started in October 1925 and completed 1926. In 1929 when the parish celebrated 25 years, the number of children in the school made it neccessary for more Sisters to teach. When the Sisters arrived there was not enough room in the convent and they purchased the building on 27th and Drake for a new convent. St. Agnes of Bohemia School and parish continued to grow even more.

Up until 1972, the community of St. Agnes of Bohemia was mainly Czech, but beginning in 1972 until the present, the Hispanic community began to increase st St. Agnes. Almost immediately in 1972, the number of Hispanics had grown so much that it became neccessary to begin a Mass in Spanish. The first Mass in Spanish started in the later part of 1973 and was presided by Father Matt Lorenz, along with Deacon Antonio Llano.

We have come along way since the start of our Parish and our School, we continue to grow every day. St. Agnes has been a home for many seminarians, priests, deacons, sisters and bishops.