The History of Chicago St. Procopius Catholic High School
Chicago (population 2.8 million) is located in the northeastern-most portion of Illinois in the heart of
Cook County. Interstate Highways 55, 57, 88, 90, and 94 all lead you directly to and from Chicago. In addition
several Illinois and U.S. Routes will take you there as well. Chicago was at one time one of the stockyard capitals
of the world. The town was established in 1832 and incorporated in 1837.
"St. Procopius parish was established in 1875 in the area of 19th and Halsted. A school was begun in 1876.
The parish experienced immediate growth and needed to expand their facilities. In 1883 the church was converted to a
school and a new church was built. In 1897 St. Procopius college was set up. St. Procopius College
would eventually be moved to Lisle and become Benedictine University, which it remains today."
St. Procopius High School opened in 1912 as a co-ed school, 11 years after St. Procopius College Academy
moved to Lisle (that school is now Benet Academy). It started out as a two-year commercial school, expanded to three years
in 1939 and then a fourth year in 1940 when it was called St. Procopius Commercial High School with general and commercial
courses being offered. In 1951, the school accepted only girls and stayed open until its closure in 1981.
St. Procopius High School conitnued to serve the neighborhood for the next 30 years. At one time the
combined enrollment of the high school and grade school reached 1,200 students. However, rising costs and dwindling enrollment
would take their toll. The high school graduated its final class in 1981.
St. Procopius continues to support a grammar school today.
St. Procopius High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
1912
Year became an all-girls school: 1951
Year closed:
1981
St. Procopius HS team nickname: unavailable
St. Procopius HS team colors: unavailable
School Fight Song:
unavailable
