The Connors, when they came to the United States, went directly to Evanston, Illinois. I have records as early as 1860 showing them living there. Thomas, James and Patrick Connor were all contributors to the creation of St. Mary's Church, the first Catholic Church in Evanston.
Volume II of A History of the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago, 1980 describes in some detail the early years of the parish. An excerpt from pages 1163-1171 follows.
"On June 26, 1864, Catholics living in the North Shore area known as Evanston gathered in the Calvary station of the Chicago and North Western railroad 'for the purpose of choosing a committee to take action relative to the building of a Roman Catholic church in the village of Evanston.' Of the $1,327 subscribed for a Catholic Church, amounts ranging from $5 to $50 were donated by Evanston Catholics and a few prominent Methodists. Evanston was known then and for many years after as a Methodist town, the home of Northwestern University. It also gained a reputation as a temperance town, headquarters of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).
"Lack of funds delayed the construction of a frame church and so the Catholics of Evanston continued to attend Mass in the German parish of St. Joseph in Wilmette, four miles to the north or in the Luxembourger parish of St. Henry at Devon and Ridge ave. in Rose Hill, a community four miles to the south. A list of 88 Evanston Catholics compiled in the 1860s indicates that the majority were of Irish birth or descent. Intent on forming an English-speaking parish of their own, they continued to save money for a church building.
"On Aug. 15, 1865, the first Catholic Mass in Evanston was offered in the open air under a white oak tree in a grove just opposite the present west entrance of Calvary Cemetery. This burial ground had been dedicated on Nov. 2, 1859 and it replaced the older Catholic cemetery located near North ave. and State St. in Chicago.
"In 1866, a frame structure 20 x 40 feet was built on the parish property and this 'mission church' was cared for on alternate Sundays by priests from Rose Hill and Wilmette. In the spring of 1869, construction began on a new St. Mary church which is said to have been completed by the end of that year. The former church was moved to approximately 1421 Oak ave. (where the rectory now stands), a second story was added, and it was outfitted as a school. Most of the work on the new church and the school building was done by local residents -- after they had finished their usual 10 hours of daily labor.
"Rev. Michael Dohahoe was appointed first resident pastor of St. Mary church at Christmas time 1872.... The parish register of St. Mary church begins on Dec. 25, 1872, with the baptism of John Edward Finley."
Look at the St. Mary's Church plaque rubbing, posted elsewhere on this blog. You will see the three Connors' names listed as contributing on June 26, 1864 to the $1,327.00 mentioned above in this write up.
In the History of Cook County, Illinois: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, by A. T. Andreas, Published by A. T. Andreas, Chicago, 1884 provides additional information about St. Mary's Church.
"St. Mary's Roman Catholic -- This Church, the only one of the denomination in Evanston, was organized and a lot purchased in July, 1864. The ground was upon the present site of the church, on the southeast corner of Lake Street and Oak Avenue. Among the best known original members of the Church were George Kearney, William O'Connell, Michael Cunningham, Francis McLaughlin, Thomas Conner (sic), Patrick Conner (sic), James Conner (sic), John Sharp and Patrick Furlong. In a few days about $800 was raised, and a small wooden church building was erected, which is now a part of the schoolhouse. The society, however, was not entirely out of debt and ready to hold the first services until March, 1866.... The Society is now (1884) in a flourishing condition." Page 435
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