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 Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish WWI Memorial - Bourbonnais, IL Posted by:  silverquill
N 41° 09.388 W 087° 52.591
16T E 426457 N 4556496
This plaque commemorates the the founding of the Parish of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the parish veterans of World War I. It is located in front of the church.
Waymark Code: WMM270
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2014
Views: 2
The parish of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the oldest parish in Kankakee County. The original
name of the church was St. Leo, and one of the early priests of this parish community was Reverend
Stephen T. Badin, who was the first priest ordained in the United States by Bishop John Carroll in 1793.
Reverend Rene Courrjault became the first resident pastor in 1847.
The Maternity Cemetery dates back to 1842. By the year 1884 this little cemetery was filled.
Most of the tombstones have disappeared over these many years; however, this ground remains the final
resting place for hundreds of early Bourbonnaians. This, this is a sacred place.
Reverend Pierre Beaudoin, C.S.V. purchased land near the Kankakee River that became the new
Maternity B.V.M. Cemetery. The graves of the early priests,religious brothers and sisters were
moved into the new cemetery.
Several artifacts can e found on this site next to the church. These artifacts include: the Sacred Heart
statue that once stood on a high pedestal in front of Saint Viator College, the Theologians' Bench and
Sundial given by the graduation class of 1919, which included Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
The most significant artifact in the cemetery is the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. The much beloved
Brother John F. Koelzer, C.S.V. (1885-1959) teacher, sacristan, and musician, created the grotto in 1918 to
honor the memory of the young men of the parish who served during World War I. Br. Koelzer penned
his hopes that the grotto would be a lasting tribute to Our Lady of Lourdes and to St. Bernadette.
The men of the parish who fought bravely in World War I.
- Rev. Harris Darch
- Roy Arseneau
- Arthur Breault
- Eugene Byron
- Louis Brais
- Charles Cyrier
- Lionel Courville
- Arthur Chartier
- Arthur Chauvin
- William Delongchamps
- William Faford
- Harold Forbes
- Alfred Forgue
- Leonard Forgue
- Maurice Godin
- Herman Gregoire
- Alphonse Houde
- Justin Legris
- Albert Landroche
- Adolph Leffine
- William Martin
- Fred Monast
- George Morin
- Eugene Brosseau
- Joseph Mailloux
- Henry Marcotte
- Alphonse Marcotte
- Philip Marcotte
- Ignatius Marcotte
- Daniel Marcotte
- Omer Rivard
- Joseph Rivard
- Leo Roy
- Rene Roy
- Alfred Reno
- Telesphore Senesac
- Grorge Houde
- Edward Houde
- Alfred Kyrouac
- Viatur Kyrouac
- Edward Reno
- William Senesac
- Ambrose Souligne
- Albert Tetrault
- *Maximilien Legris
- (killed in action)
- Albert Brodeur
This historical marker was donated by the Richard Family in memory of Adrien and Anne
Richard, who dedicated their lives in faithful service to this parish.
Private or Public Monument?: Private
Name of the Private Organization or Government Entity that built this Monument: Richard Family
Geographic Region where the Monument is located: North America
Website for this Monument: [Web Link]
Physical Address of Monument:
308 E. Marsile St.
Bourbonnais, IL United States
60914
Rate this waymark: 
Photo or photos will be uploaded.: yes
Date the Monument or Memorial was built or dedicated: Not listed
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