Saint Agnes Catholic Church

2364 W. Mound Street

The cornerstone for St. Agnes Parish was laid on Oct. 24, 1954. Bishop Michael Ready purchased the land on which the parish is located on June 1, 1946. It was dedicated nearly a decade later on March 20, 1955. Father Bennett Applegate, was the first administrator and Father Robert Schmidt was the first pastor.

Saint Agnes: Virgin and Martyr

She was born in Rome around the year 290. Born into a noble Christian family, she consecrated her life to God and celibacy from a young age. She was said to be quite beautiful, which, along with her wealth and holiness, led many noble young men to seek her as a wife. But Agnes's eyes beheld the One who was the most beautiful of all: Jesus Christ. After beholding His beauty, she could look upon no one else. She dedicated herself to a life of virginity. Her hand in marriage was highly sought after, and many high-ranking men pursued her. However, Agnes made a promise to God never to defile her purity. Whenever a man wished to marry Agnes, she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Husband." On one occasion, Procop, the governor's son, became very angry when she rejected him. He tried to win her over to be his wife with gifts and promises, but the beautiful young woman kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said: You will never leave me!"

Procop, furious, accused her of being a Christian and brought her before his father, the governor. He tried to change her mind by chaining her, but her beautiful face shone with joy. Then he sent her to a place of sin, but an angel protected her. Finally, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans wept to see such a young and beautiful girl die.

The bones of Saint Agnes are kept beneath the high altar of the Church of Saint Agnes in Rome, built over the catacomb that housed Agnes's tomb. Her skull is kept in a separate chapel in the Church of Saint Agnes in Agone.

She is the Patron Saint of: Engaged Couples, Chastity, Harvests, Children of Mary, Gardeners, Girls, Victims of Rape, and Virgins.