Central Baptist Village proudly celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of our residents. We believe heritage is more than a birthplace, it’s a powerful thread that shapes identity, values, and life experiences. Our community is filled with incredible stories, and the reflections shared below highlight just how meaningful and inspiring these personal histories can be.
Annie F’s story: from rural Galway to bustling Chicago
Annie was born in England, but her heart has always belonged to Galway, Ireland. She was just nine months old when her mother packed up her family and moved to a small farming village in Ireland. Her father stayed in England, so her mother took on the incredible task of raising their 8 kids on her own. Annie has nothing but happy memories of her childhood; running around the farm, hauling buckets of water from the well, trying to milk the cows, and enjoying her mother’s homemade bread. She loved singing in the church choir, wearing the beautiful dresses her mom made, and feeling that close-knit village bond where everyone knew and cared for each other. Her best friend from that little town? Still her best friend today, and now they both live in Chicago!
At sixteen, Annie made the big leap to America. Her mother was doing everything she could to make ends meet, and eventually, it was decided that the older children would head to Chicago. Annie felt both excitement and nerves as she moved from the home she had known all her life. She joined her brother, sister, and aunt and moved into a home on Elston Street. She quickly fell in love with her new life, working hard during the week and dancing her heart out at Irish socials on the weekends. It was at one of those dances where she met her future husband, Tommy. They had actually grown up near each other in Ireland but didn’t meet until they were both here in Chicago. After a year of dating, they got married and spent a lifetime together before Tommy passed away ten years ago.
Moving to a new country wasn’t easy. Annie missed her family and her village deeply. While her hometown mostly spoke Gaelic, her mother had taught her just enough English to get by. Even now, she keeps a little piece of Ireland close to her heart. Her go-to comfort? A strong cup of Irish tea, which she still offers to every guest who walks through her door.
Looking back, Annie wants people to remember the strength of her mother. “She did everything,” she says. Annie believes that while change can be hard, especially when it means leaving loved ones behind, it can also lead to something truly worthwhile. Her life is a beautiful mix of old traditions and new beginnings. A reminder of just how far love, hard work, and a bit of courage can take you.
Nick N’s story: a journey from Greece to a new life
Nick was born on the beautiful island of Crete, Greece, and spent most of his childhood in Athens. Life wasn’t always easy, he grew up in a poor neighborhood, and he and his brother had big dreams of building a better life. Nick started working at a young age to help support his family, learning responsibility and hard work early on.
In their twenties, Nick and his brother took a huge leap of faith. They left Greece and came to the United States in search of new opportunities. They didn’t speak English and didn’t have much money, but they were determined to build the life that they wanted. The brothers landed in Chicago, where Nick began what would become a lifelong career as a master tailor. The transition to a new country was certainly full of challenges, both physical and emotional. When Nick and his brother left for America, their parents remained in Greece, supporting their sons from afar as they bravely sought out the future that America could offer them.
Even though he never got the chance to go back to Greece, Nick stayed connected to his roots. He found comfort and connection through the Greek books he brought along and the long phone calls with his parents back home. He still misses the strong Greek coffee and the slower mornings back home, but he’s proud of the life he built here.
Looking back, Nick says the journey was worth it. That one brave decision to move across the world shaped his entire life. Nick hopes others will remember that sometimes, taking a chance can change everything.
Al B’s story: from WWII Germany to a new start
Al was born in Munich, Germany, during one of the most difficult times in modern history, World War II. Much of the city was destroyed, including his school, and life was about constantly adapting. He remembers how two school systems had to share the only building left, switching out at noon so everyone could get an education. Growing up in a place trying to rebuild itself taught him resilience from a young age.
At eighteen, Al came to the United States to keep his sister company after she married an American. He didn’t speak a word of English and felt pretty isolated living in a small rural town. One thing that helped him feel grounded was going to Catholic mass, which was still in Latin at the time. It was familiar and comforting. He met a kind priest who spoke English, Latin, and German, and the connection made him think maybe the church was his calling. He actually started heading back to Germany to figure out his next steps, but during the 10-day boat ride, he met a group of people who encouraged him to give America one more try, this time in Chicago.
That second chance made all the difference. Al moved to Chicago, worked full time in a mailroom, and went to night school to study accounting. It took him nine years to finish his degree, often studying with his textbooks in one hand and a German-English dictionary in the other. He signed up for “Americanization” classes at a local high school, where he met Tina, his future wife. He laughs now, saying that even though they were both past their high school days, she was his “high school sweetheart.”
Adjusting to life in the U.S. wasn’t always easy. Besides the language and culture shock, Al faced a substantial amount of prejudice. After the war, there was a lot of anger toward German people, and he felt it. This sentiment could especially be felt when trying to find work. He says it felt like it was “wrong” to be from Germany, even though he and his loved ones had nothing to do with the war. That was tough to carry.
Looking back, Al hopes people remember that you can overcome a lot in life. His message is simple: stay open to where life takes you, work hard, and don’t give up. Sometimes the path you start on isn’t where you end up, and that’s okay. What matters is finding joy wherever life carries you
Want to learn more?
For additional information about these residents and their stories, or to request permission to share them elsewhere, please contact Mary Dalton, Chief Marketing Officer at Central Baptist Village, at 708.583.8527 or [email protected]