Riverside resident and architect Paul Straka was recognized for his church designs in Masonry Heroes, a publication put out by the Illinois Masonry Institute. Straka, who worked with the renowned Chicago architect Edward Dart, opened his own practice, now headquartered in Brookfield, in 1965.
Among his clients are the Catholic churches of St. Matthew in Glendale Heights, St. Mary in Mokena, St. Patrick in Yorkville and St. Jude in New Lenox. He also designed St. Daniel the Prophet in Wheaton in the 1990s.
Straka has also designed homes, schools, building additions and restorations throughout the Chicago area during his career.
