A Little History: In the Beginning

In early 1905, Adam Kasper and his German Catholic neighbors near Orchard Street and Deming Place wrote to Archbishop James E. Quigley asking for a parish. Quigley, whose main concern was establishing new parishes in the growing archdiocese, assigned Father Francis A. Rempe, then age 31, to the project in May of 1905.

Rempe had great assistance from the lay founders of the parish, F. H. Ehlen, Louis P. Hugel, Frank Ehlen and Adam J. Kasper, who opened his home to the young priest. The original plan was for the parish to be German-speaking, but Rempe soon saw a demand for English as well. The parish began as bilingual.

Founder Adam J. Kasper

Adam J. Kasper organized the committee who wrote to ask the archbishop for a parish. He was the head of the A. J. Kasper Company, a coffee and tea importer and wholesaler, in Chicago. Father of five sons and four daughters (and eventually grandfather of 17), he gave many gifts to the parish, including the rose window over the main entrance.

Adam Kasper died October 23, 1924, at the Edgewater Golf Club. He was 72 years old and he and his wife, Katherine, had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

The altar of the Blessed Virgin at the front of the church was given by Mrs. Kasper in memory of her husband on the parish's 25th anniversary, in 1930.

Founding Pastor Francis Rempe

Saint Clement Church was Monsignor Francis A. Rempe’s life’s work. His accomplishments are the result of his talents, his capacity for hard work, and his dedication to the work of the Lord. He inspired parishioners to united action during the years of financial sacrifice for the building of the church. Perhaps only such a strong character could meet the task of building up a worthy house of God.

Monsignor Rempe served as pastor of Saint Clement Church from its founding until his death on February 14, 1946. He was 72 years old.

Saint Clement Church 1905-2005: Nourished by Our Roots, Sustained by Our Faith, Branching Out to the World

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