FACTS ABOUT CHICAGO ST. DOMINIC HIGH SCHOOL
First year opened: 1945
First graduation: 1949
Year closed:
1960
School colors:
Blue & White
School nickname: Torches
School song:
unknown
MEMORIES
**From William Crowley (Class of 1957)
"I graduated from St. Dominic's in 1957. There were 39 in our graduating class. The faculty included:
.
Reverend Raymond Labate O.S.M. he was also the Pastor-Directory and Teacher
Sister
Mary William B.V.M. Principal
Sister Mary Joan of Ark B.V.M. our Senior teacher
Sister Mary Thaddeus B.V.M. our sophomore Teacher
Sister Mary Aloisa
B.V.M. our freshman teacher
Sister Mary Athanasius B.V.M. our english teacher
Sister Mary Chionia B.V.M. Prefect for the freshman
Sister Mary Florina B.V.M. our commercial teacher
Sister Mary Leocritia
Typing teacher
Sister Mary Joselita B.V.M. our choral teacher
In my freshman year Father Raymond told all the freshman boys that they had to try out
for the football team. The problem was that the school was so small there was only a varsity team. I was about 100lbs.
and Father Raymond gave me the ball and told me to run. Well, two seniors that looked like monsters tackled me and when
I finally was able to get up, my football career was over after only one play. Soon after, they abandoned the team.
We did have a basketball team and they were called the Torches. I have a yearbook from 1957. I can
scan the pictures and send to anyone if they send me there email address.
**From E. Wiliams:
"I attended St. Dominic Elementary School. The High School
and the Grade school were in the same building. The last principal before they closed the building on Hudson Ave. was
Sister Mary James Williams. The building was closed as a result of the
fire at Our Lady of Angels School. The last year we were in the building we had firemen posted throughout the building
during school hours.
You may want to contact Sister Eileen Galvin at the B.V.M's. mother-house in Iowa. I
spoke with Sister a few weeks ago. That last time I saw a picture of the school was in 1980. I was looking through
a book from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The book had pictures of all Catholic schools that had been built or opened
during a period of time.
The school was a three- or four-story building. Elementary was on the first floor, then the high school
on the other floors. The gym was on the top floor of the building. The last pastor of St. Dominic (while the school
was opened) was a Servite priest named Fr. Raymond (I do not know his last name)."
**From an anonymous alum:
"SCHOOL COLORS WERE NAVY BLUE
AND WHITE. I GRADUATED IN 1958 FATHER RAYMONDS LAST NAME WAS RAYMOND. AND SISTER
MARY JAMES WILLIAM WAS THE PRINCIPAL TALL STERN LOOKING NUN A BVM. SISTER
MARY MAGDALENE TAUGHT GEOMETRY CLASS. WE DID NOT SWITCH CLASSES; OFTEN SPENT MOST OF THE DAY IN ONE ROOM--THE
NUNS CAME IN AND OUT.
I ATTENDED ST DOM'S FOR 4 YEARS. HOW WELL I REMEMBER ...............ACROSS
THE STREET WAS THE CABRINI PROJECTS AND THE CHURCH WAS I THINK AROUND THE CORNER OR ON ANOTHER CORNER DOWN FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL.
WE MARCHED IN AND OUT ON JOHN PHILLIPS SOUSA "STARS
AND STRIPES FOREVER."
I LIVED ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE HAD TO TAKE 2 BUSES AND THE EL TO
GET THEIR BUT BETTER THAN GOING TO MUNDELIN ALL-GIRLS SCHOOL. ST DOM'S WAS COED...NO FOOTBALL-BASKETBALL TEAM THOUGH."
From Barbara Wright: "I was in the last graduating class of St. Dominic's High School,
that was 1959. Doors closed and school was torn down. We had a fireman on each floor until the last day. School closed
because of Our Lady Of Angels fire. It was cost prohibitive to put in sprinklers. We did have a varsity and junior varsity
basketball team that competed against other high schools I did go grammar and high school there. Father Bosco was pastor in grammar. Father Ray was pastor in high school."
DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION TO ADD?
Certainly, we are needing more to tell the story of St. Dominic High School. If you are a graduate
or know someone who has more information, not to mention a photo of the school, we welcome your submissions. Please email
us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or send it thru the mail to:
Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631
