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Burr Ridge church celebrates 80 years of worship
Father Herman Kincaid during Sunday's service at St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 3, 2012 1:34AM
BURR RIDGE — John Sutko didn’t end up in his Burbank home by accident.
The location was carefully chosen at the halfway point between his church, St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox, and McClure Junior High in Western Springs, where he taught music for 35 years.
Sutko has been a member of St. Peter and St. Paul for 60 of the church’s 80 years, and he will be among those in attendance at the church’s 80th anniversary celebration on Sunday.
The church was located in the Gage Park neighborhood of Chicago until 1998, when the congregation moved its place of worship to County Line Road in Burr Ridge. Shirley Bryar was one of many who followed her church to the suburbs.
“We have been growing in our membership since we were established in Burr Ridge,” Bryar said.
In fact, the 135-family parish is growing so much, the church had to add on a room to accommodate the Sunday school class.
“We have 70 children in our parish school,” said Father Herman Kincaid.
He became priest at the Burr Ridge church in 2009, but his affiliation with the church goes back to its beginning.
“My family has a history going back all the way to the founders,” he said.
His parents, who were married in the church, will be among the 180 members, former members and friends at Saturday’s celebration.
The celebration at European Chalet in Chicago will include displays of the church’s history and speeches by members who have been there since that first service in 1932.
“We’re trying to make it a mini-milestone celebration,” said Sutko, leader of the church’s choir.
The special liturgy Sunday featuring the 80th anniversary choir will be followed by a dinner celebration from 1-5 p.m.
“We’re making it as special as we possibly can,” Sutko said. “We are proud of what we have accomplished.”
