Foreign Language Press Survey

Interview with Rev. M. Urbonavicius of the Aurora Gates Church

Feb. 10, 1937

The Aurora Gates parish began to organize in 1904. While it was being organized, Lithuanian priests came to the St.Pious Irish Church, delivered sermons and preached in Lithuanian. The church was built in 1906. The first priest was K. Ambrozaitis, from Kenosha, Wis., who had organized a Polish parish there. Rev. K. Ambrozaitis was the priest in this parish from 1906 to 1915.

Rev. F. Sarafinas from 1915 to 1918.

Rev. F. Meskauskas from 1918 to 1919.

Rev. F. Kudirka from 1919 to 1927

Rev. V. Draugelis from 1927 to 1931.

Rev. J. Maciulisnis from 1931 to 1935.

Rev. M. Urbonavicius from 1935 to the present time.

In the beginning there were about seven hundred parishioners; now there are about three hundred.

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The parish maintains a school which has about eighty pupils. Four sisters are teachers. Also, the parish has a choir composed of about fifty members. J. Brajaitis, the organist, is the leader.

The parish property is as follows:

Church and School $100,000.
Rectory 25,000
Sister's Home 25,000
FLPS index card