Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois history

1938, at the Chicago Heights airport, located at Ashland Avenue and Joe Orr Road (now Marian Catholic High School).

On January 6, 1957, ground breaking took place for the original $1,400,000 building under the direction of Cardinal Stritch and the supervision of Monsignor Croarkin.

Marian Catholic High School was dedicated on January 11, 1959 by Archbishop Albert G. Meyer.

By September of 1963, Marian Catholic had an enrollment of 1,200 and a teaching staff of 43, including 14 laymen and women.

Winning Car in Band Parade (1967)

In 1970, an agreement was reached between the Dominican Sisters and the Archdiocese of Chicago: if Marian Catholic, then with an enrollment of over 1,400, would remain a co-educational school, a $1,000,000 addition would be built through a Project Renewal Grant.

Work began on the addition in the fall of 1971 that would end the use of the mobiles and provide for classrooms, band and choral rooms, a guidance area, and a theater.

Sister Mary Joseph, Sister Mary John, Sister Mary Antonette (1972)

During the summer of 1979, the gymnasium and both boys' and girls' locker rooms were remodeled with monies raised by the students themselves.

Raymond P. Nugent, Mother Mary Dominica and Sister Alberta begin the building project by turning first shovels of soil (1983)

Constructed by January of 1984, the building project gave Marian Catholic a two-room computer center, four new classrooms, expanded library and improved art and music facilities.

Marian Catholic named one of 64 exemplary private schools in the nation in Washington D.C. (1985)

Sister M. Paul McCaughey, OP named fifth principal of Marian Catholic (1992)

The 1993 Marian Catholic football team wins the IHSA Class 4A State Championship for the first time in school history.

Bishop Joseph Perry blesses Dominican Way during its dedication April 27, 2002

Construction of the Leadership Center (2006)

Also 2007 saw the addition of a science lab into the former area of the terrace café, the remodeling of the old cafeteria into a central study hall, and the reconfiguration of main office area for security and convenience.

Aerial view of the newly installed field turf at Spartan Stadium (2008)

Baseball Team captures State title (2012)

In July of 2014, Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP, ended her term as Principal to return to Springfield and began the role of Director of Mission Advancement for the Springfield Dominican Sisters.