Samuel Cardinal Stritch appointed Father Walter T. McInerney to form the second parish in Westchester, Illinois, on June 27, 1956. On September 12 of that year,the parish was canonically established and given the name of Divine Providence.

The Archdiocese had received a donation of 7.75 acres of undeveloped land from Walter S. Baltis, a builder and developer of much of Westchester. On this land the architectural firm of Gaul and Voosen was chosen to draw plans for the initial buildings.A church, a meeting room, and eight classrooms were specified for this phase. 495 Catholic families were found to live in the area of the parish.  In February of 1958 Father McInerney contacted Mother Lucina, C.D.P.,  Provincial of the Sisters of Divine Providence and the Sisters agreed to staff the school. The school opened on September 3, 1958, admitting 281 children in grades one through six. The faculty was composed of three Sisters and four lay teachers. Two additions of four classrooms were added, one in 1959, and the other in 1960. The school reached its peak enrollment in 1967 with 742 children in 16 classrooms.

In 1956 Father McInerney celebrated the first parish mass in the second floor corridor of the High Ridge School on September 9. During that first year, when a Holy Day fell on a regular school day, mass was celebrated at the funeral home of John A. Budilovsky on 22nd Street and Hawthorne.

The whole parish (485 families) gathered for the Fall Frolic in October at the Berwyn Legion Hall. Ralph Torgersen was elected the first president of the Holy Name Society and Mrs. Bernard (Kay) Kiley became the first president of the Catholic Women's Club.

The rectory was located at 10834 W. 24th Street (Windsor Drive) and daily mass was celebrated in the basement chapel.

A loan was received from the Archdiocese of $525,000 and construction began on the school and church. Father William Barry became the first associate pastor in July of 1958. On all Saints Day, November 1, 1958, the first mass was celebrated in the new church. On April 19, 1959, Archbishop Albert Meyer dedicated the new church and school.

Some of the activities of those years were: Rummage Sale, Pre-Lenten Smoker, Block Parties for Convent Furnishings, Holy Name Communion Breakfast, Christmas Toy Sale, Car Raffle, Turkey Raffle, Round Robins, Booster Club, Games Party, Bake Sales, St. Patrick Party, Fashion Show, Fall Frolics Party, Bowling League and Family Picnic.

Twelve years after starting the parish, Father McInerney was denied permission to build a permanent church. The temporary church was then carpeted and air-conditioned, and stained glass windows were installed.

In 1975 Fr. McInerney was named Pastor Emeritus. There were then 1,400 families registered at Divine Providence.

The School Board was organized. With the appointment of Fr. John Dolciamore as pastor, the Parish Council was formed along with Lectors, Ministers of Communion and about twenty other parish organizations. Sr. Mary Linus was principal of the school for eighteen years.

In 1974 Mr. Frank De Vita was ordained a permanent deacon.