Archbishop Cupich helps St. Edna's celebrate 50th anniversary

St. Edna Catholic Church marked a special occasion on Sunday, so it was only fitting that a special guest led the celebration.

Archbishop Blase Cupich served as the main celebrant for Mass as the Arlington Heights church marked its 50th anniversary with services followed by its annual picnic.

Home to about 3,000 families today, the church was founded 50 years ago with the purchase 14 acres of former farmland along Arlington Heights Road on the north side of the village, according to the parish's website. Parishioners attended Mass in the gym at MacArthur Junior High School in Prospect Heights while a new church was being built on the site.

The old farmhouse on the property became the parish rectory, and what had been the old farmhouse parlor became a chapel for daily Mass, as well as for administration of the sacraments of baptism and penance, according to the website.

The first Mass at the new church was held in November 1968.