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Springfield in the late 1800s was a rapidly growing community, especially among its Catholic population. In 1889, thousands gathered to lay the cornerstone for what would become the city’s fifth Roman Catholic parish, St. Agnes Church. The ornate building was constructed at the corner of College and Capitol, just a couple of blocks from the Statehouse and adjacent to the future home of the Stratton Building.
More land was acquired and a parish school opened in 1913. But still the leaders of St. Agnes feared they were outgrowing their home. It would not be until the late 1970s that the Diocese would sell the church, the school, and the adjoining property to the state for $1.4 million. A new St. Agnes Church and School were built out west, next to Griffin High School. And on November 15,1981, the last Mass was celebrated in the original church before it was torn down, with the property eventually turned into a parking ramp.
Learn more about the history of St. Agnes Parish at SangamonLink, the official blog of the Sangamon County Historical Society… and get more Springfield history here each week in the Springfield History Minute.
