Br. Wenceslaus Church, OFM, 94, passed away on Sept. 10, 2024, at St. Mary’s Home in Chicago, Illinois.
A native of Hannibal, Missouri, Br. Wenceslaus entered the Franciscan Order on July 4, 1952; professed simple vows on July 5, 1953; professed solemn vows on July 5, 1956; and was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1959.
After one year of pastoral formation at St. Francis Parish in Quincy, Illinois, Br. Wenceslaus taught as an assistant instructor at Corpus Christi High School in Chicago from 1961 to 1962. He then began the first of two stints as an instructor at Holy Spirit and Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago, serving from 1962 to 1965 and then 1967 to 1971, taking a two-year break to study at St. Louis University.
In 1971, he was appointed associate pastor of Little Flower Parish in Monroe, Louisiana, and also served as an instructor at St. Frederick High School. He worked briefly at Our Lady of the Angels Franciscan Seminary in Quincy, Illinois, from 1974 to 1975 before he was assigned to St. Peter’s in the Loop in Chicago as confessor from 1975 to 1989, and vicar from 1985 to 1987.
From 1989 to 1991, he served as chaplain at Mayslake Village in Oak Brook, Illinois, before returning to St. Peter’s in the Loop. An excellent confessor and a gentle presence, he was a beloved spiritual guide for hundreds of people in Chicago.
Br. Wenceslaus was just five weeks shy of his 95th birthday. He is survived by family members, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The wake and visitation will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. All services will take place at St. Peter’s Church in the Loop, 110 West Madison, Chicago, IL 60602. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162.
May he rest in peace.
