What if these walls of Saint Augustine Catholic Parish could talk? They would tell tales of faith and community. They would whisper stories of Chicago’s past. Saint Augustine Catholic Parish once stood proudly between 50th and 51st and Laflin.
Let’s journey back. Imagine the late 1890s. The parish was organized before 1900. It became a cornerstone of the neighborhood for over a century. The Poor Handmaids Of Jesus Christ were the religious order of teachers. The Franciscan Order served as the priests.
Now envision the sounds. Children’s laughter filled the school halls. Melodies from the glee club floated through the air. Students sang in the church choir for Sunday Mass. The evenings would end with everyone singing the school song.
The students of Saint Augustine High had many activities. They could follow their interests to receive a well-rounded educational experience. We know music was important as well as other extra-curricular activities.
Picture this: a bustling campus. It occupied an entire square block. There was the church and the rectory. Nuns lived in their own house. There was also the school building. A social center hosted dances. The Franciscan Herald Building housed the fathers’ newspaper.
Many remember the roller rink. Kids from all over loved it. It was a treat to have your own skates. There was also a small bowling alley. Teen club in the basement of the school was also loved.
For many attending St. Augustine’s school made them have so many memories. Many students stayed from 1st grade until they graduated from high school.
Some recall the St. Augustine Lancers. This was the color drill team of the high school. Every Christmas, the school had a variety concert called the Kaleidoscope. Nuns would sometimes show movies in the gym. Frequent volleyball games pitted one year against another. The Father/Daughter Dance was a highlight.
Sadly, the beautiful old church was torn down in the 1990s. But its memory lives on. The stained-glass windows and bell towers now reside in a Catholic church in Aurora, Illinois.
The parish itself was dissolved. This happened about 7 to 10 years ago. The school building remains. It now serves as a satellite of Richards Vocational HS. Though no longer a Catholic school.
St. Augustine’s legacy endures in the hearts of its alumni. They remember the school colors: Blue and Gold. They recall the school nickname: Lancers. Many say that they wouldn’t trade their time there for any other school in the world. They say that St. A’s was a great experience. They learned a lot from the Poor handmaids. They taught them discipline and how to make their faith much stronger.
As we stand here today, let’s honor the memory of St. Augustine Catholic Parish. Let’s celebrate its impact on the lives it touched. Though the physical structure may be gone, its spirit remains. The St. Augustine Catholic Parish will forever be a cherished part of Chicago’s history.