The construction of the Kennedy Expressway, which in the 1960s. intersected the Polish district, forced some of the parishioners to change their place of residence. The parish declined and lacked funds for necessary repairs. Finally, in 1988, after 89 years of its existence, the decision was taken to close and demolish the church. At that point, thanks to the extraordinary mobilization of the Polish community cooperating with bishop Alfred Abramowoicz, funds were raised, amounting to the impressive sum in excess of million dollars, which allowed to carry out necessary repairs in the buildings.