FACTS ABOUT CHICAGO ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL
Year opened as commercial girls' high school: 1911
Boys first admitted:
1913
Became four-year school: 1941
Went back to all-girls':
1961
Last classes graduated: 1980
School colors: Blue
& Gold
School nickname:
"Lancers"
School song:
"Three Cheers for St. Augustine High"
ACTIVITIES
For as big of a school that St. Augustine was, one could imagine that the students at St. Augustine had
activities to follow in order to receive a well-rounded educational experience. We are certain as to what was available to
the girls towards the school's final years, with music and other extra-curricular activities, even though there is no mention
of the school on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are hopeful that a St. Augustine graduate has more information that we can post on this page to capture
the memories of this fine school.
MEMORIES OF ST. AUGUSTINE:
**From Noretta Lange:
"The Poor Handmaids Of Jesus Christ were the religious order of teachers,.the Parish was St. Augustine church, located
between 50th and 51st and Laflin, Chicago. It closed about 11 years ago. The Franciscan Order were the priests.
The Church is demolished, however, the school is not called St. Augustine, it is a satellite of Richards Vocational HS.
The parish was dissolved about 7-10 years ago now. I do have my yearbooks and various school mementos.
I could mail copies of some of the yearbooks or whatever you want. I am absolutely amazed that a school/church which
had been in existence for over 100 years (I believe it was organized prior to 1900 - some time in the 1890s). I am also
advising some of my class who might have more information to contact you."
**From Judy Higgins:
"I was reading your article on the internet on St. Augustine's Parish School in Chicago. I attended school
there from 1953 through high school and graduated in 1965. We lived across from the school campus on 51st Street. My mom also
attended the school when she was a girl and it was a 2-year high school.
You asked for any information students might
have. Well, we did have a glee club and put on "contadas" (musicals) more than once a year. They were quite nice and so many
of the parents were also St. A. graduates. The evening would always end with everyone singing the school song. The church
had a large choir area where the students sang for Sunday Mass.
There was a roller rink that was loved by kids from
all over the area. It was quite something in those days to have your own skates instead of the clip on ones. There was a small
bowling alley with a couple of lanes. Also we had a social center building for dances, etc. The buildings took up an entire
square block with the church, rectory, nuns house, school, social center and Franciscan Herald Building where the fathers
published their newspaper.
I don't remember any sports. We did go to Cornell Park (further west on 51st Street) for
gym classes.
The beautiful old church was torn down some time in the 1990s. Hard to believe that the gothic style church
would be torn down. The stained glass windows and bell towers are at a catholic church in Aurora, Ill. I went to see them
when I visited Chicago a couple of years ago. I live in Arizona now. I took photos of the stained glass windows if you are
interested.
I do have some photos of the old school and church. I also have my yearbooks. If there's any particular
photos you might like, let me know and I'll scan them for you."
**From Juanita Cerda:
"I attended St. Augustine from first grade to high school. I loved this school and the nuns who ran the
school: Sister Vera, Sister Melanie (music teacher), Sister Jerome (principal)...roughly
1977 to 1980. I would be interested in obtaining a yearbook or pictures. We did have a marching band, as we competed in events."
**From Patricia (McNamara) Kirrane:
"I attended St. A's as it was known from 1968 until 1972.I am surprised that no one has mention the St.
Augustine Lancers, they were the color drill team of the high school. Also every year around Christmas, we used to have a variety concert, called the Kalidescope. Also, from time to time
the nuns would get movies and show them in the gym. There were also frequent volleyball games in the gym with one year against
another. I don't know if anyone remembers the dances that were held in the gym from time to time. "The Father/Daughter
Dance" was one of the big ones."
**From Janet Hajec Duet:
"When I looked up St. Augustine School on the internet it brought back so many memories. I went to
this school from 1st grade to graduation from High School. I was the Lancers captain and I truly loved going to all
of our compatitions and I truly loved the teen club in the basement of the school. Roller skating was another enjoyment
and I also loved to bowl the bowling alley was very small but a great place to hang out with my friends. It was a great
school and I would never take back those days I spent there. I am sad it is no longer there. I truly learned alot
from the Poor handmaids they taught me disapline and how to make my faith much stronger.
Go Lancers!!!!!!!
Jan
Hajec twin sister Joyce Hajec"
**From Linda Ehrlicher (Molenhouse):
"I attended St. A's for my whole educational
life, and didn't realize until now what a great experience it was. I would not trade my time there for any other school
in the world. Love, a caring neighborhood, great friends - as a child I had it all. Thank you for giving me a forum
to say this.God bless you all."
**From Rich Kassanits:
"I attended the grammar school until 1967 and most of the girls went to St. A's high school. Teen club
was a big thing through high school and it was very connected with the Lancers color guard. I went to a few of the competitions.
An interesting bit of history, my great uncle attended there and through his daughter I have received a book of St.
A's history from the 50'th aniversary in the 30's. I saw the name Mr. Tushaus (sp?) listed and he was
still there into the 70's!"
)