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The History of St. Dorothy School
In
July 1916, Archbishop George Mundelein appointed Rev. John Scanlan
(1916-1924) to organize a new southside Catholic parish
dedicated to the early Roman martyr St. Dorothy. After purchasing 24 city
lots at 78th Street between Vernon and Eberhart (for $13,000),
the first Mass was held on July 16, 1916 at 811 East 75th
Street in a hall leased to the new church. On April 15, 1917 the first
shovels of earth were turned for a combination church and school building at
7730 S. Eberhart, with the building being completed and first Mass
celebrated on November 18, 1917. The combination church/school cost
$50,000, could seat 650 people in the hall, and had room for 8 classrooms.
The day after the May 12, 1918 dedication, the Sisters of Charity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary (Dubuque, IA) opened St. Dorothy School to the
neighborhood – and 298 children responded (154 boys, 144 girls).
The
Chatham area continued to boom with immigrants (church membership increased
to 1,175 families in 1925), and in July 1925 the second Pastor, Fr.
Thomas Sheridan (1924-1946) added a second story to
the school with four more classrooms. The school now educated 510 students
and had 11 sisters staffing it. It was the third Pastor, Fr. Joseph
Connelly (1946-1952) who was able to finance the
building of a brand new school at 7740 S. Eberhart to replace the antiquated
1917 combined church/school structure. This separate school building was
completed and dedicated on September 3, 1951 by Samuel Cardinal
Stritch, and could accommodate 800 students, with a gym, library and
kitchen.
In
the 1950-60’s, the Spirit of change – both social and spiritual – began to
blow through the Catholic Church of Chicago, and St. Dorothy’s. As the
neighborhood changed from ethnic white to African-American, parish
membership at St. Dorothy plummeted from 1800 to 800, and school enrollment
dropped to 450. But as the next decades passed, St. Dorothy School continued
its proud heritage as it educated and formed the new residents of the
Chatham community and parish. In April 1972, Fr. Michael Nallen
(1972-1994) was formally appointed as pastor, having previously been
an associate here since 1970.
Fighting a long decline in enrollment, in 1979 Fr. Nallen asked the
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dubuque, IA) to
come to St. Dorothy, and they agreed to do so. Three Presentation sisters
taught at first (Grades 1,2, and 7) while Sr. Karen Pollard BVM remained as
Principal for three more years. After her resignation in 1982, Sr.
Catherine Wingert PBVM became Principal, and continued ministering the
school for the next 15 years. It was during these years that enrollment
increased once again to over 500 students (with a long waiting list), and
despite the challenges of rising tuition rates and difficult economic times,
St. Dorothy School continues to build and maintain an excellent educational
curriculum.
Following Sr. Catherine’s retirement in 1997, Ms. JoAnne Yerkes became
Principal for five years; and then in 2002 Mr. Robert Zeegers
was named Principal. He administers the school until the present, with an
enrollment of 255 students, exemplifying our school motto of “We are one
family, one in Faith, Hope and Love”. Sr. Lou Cota PBVM continues
the tradition of powerful women religious in our school to this day.
CURRICULUM:
St. Dorothy’s curriculum today includes religion, basic math, language arts,
science, social studies, music, physical education, computer skills, ands a
very innovative Fine Arts programming (liturgical dancing, African
drumming).St. Dorothy has always welcomed families of many Faiths. Under Sr.
Catherine and Fr. Nallen, to acquaint incoming school families with the
philosophy of St. Dorothy’s, a series of Faith Formation classes were
taught, and deepened the faith of all who attended.
FAITH LIFE:
St. Dorothy School has a long history of a Sunday “Family Mass” on the 3d
Sunday of the month. At this Mass, the students participate actively as
musicians, lectors, song leaders, readers and dancers. In 2005, Liturgical
Dancers was begun, adding prayerful grace and beauty to both the student’s
weekday liturgy and the Sunday Mass. The Tuesday morning Eucharist and Mass
is to this day a truly uplifting worship service for both youth and adults.
It continues to draw parents, parish members and even outside community
because of its outstanding music, dance, preaching and youth participation.
(Come and join us at 8:15 in church throughout the school year!)
PRE-SCHOOL, AFTER-SCHOOL:
An After School Program was begun in 1985 and continues with strong
enrollment. Since 1988, students can also enjoy a Before School Program
where breakfast is served. Also in 1988, a Pre-School was opened, and
continues to give children of ages 3-4 an opportunity to begin learning at
an early age.
VOLUNTEERS: A
strong Volunteer Program continues to maximize the educational opportunities
for our children. Volunteers from the parish give time weekly to tutor
individual students, monitor speech contests, book sales, the lunch room and
serve wherever needed. Special mention should be made here of two
distinguished longterm volunteers. Mrs. Virginia Coffey holds the
honor of being the first grade tutor for 21 consecutive years! Mrs.
Verona Buckner spent 25 years as Office secretary, monitored students,
ran the bookstore – and this was AFTER she had been a school volunteer for
years!
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