I was passing through the area of West 56th Street near South Pulaski Road one Sunday afternoon in early September of 1987, when I had stopped to take this photograph of this local southside neighborhood landmark. I am so glad that I did.
Although this was a Catholic all girls high school at the time of this photograph, I attended "Summer School" here in July of 1979, to make up a 1/2 a credit in My high school English Class due to a not so student friendly English teacher. I have long since forgotten her name anyway.
My 1979 summer school experience at Our Lady of Lourdes was a very pleasant one filled with happy memorys of being with some of My fellow Curie High School student friends, sunny days, cool refreshments, a nice teacher, and a pleasant environment.
My happiest memory of all from that summer school I attended at nearby Lourdes, was when one day....Our Teacher decided that the weather was "Way too nice to stay inside", and had us proceed outdoors where We all sat on the lawn in the school grounds garden, and held our class right there on the lawn.
It was a beautiful sunny day with outside temperatures around 78 degrees Farenheight with a light breeze blowing. Definately a fun and memorable outdoor summer experience.
In later years due to hard economic times and budget shortfalls, The Chicago Catholic Archdiosese decided to close many local neighborhood religeous schools and
churches in an attempt to downsize and save money. Lourdes unfortunately was one of the victims of this program.
Today, it is owned by the Chicago Public Schools, and is now known as the John Hancock High School. Still, it was a happy memory for Me back in 1979.
Thank You.
Eddie K.
5 comments:
Sad that these Catholic Schools just can't make it anymore. Unfortunately, I think it's a sign of the times, people have no room for faith anymore.
I am originally from that neighborhood (Garfield Ridge) and considered going to Lourdes. I had no idea it was no longer in existence. Very sad.
I decided I didn't like the idea of attending an all-girl school and at the last minute decided to attend St. Paul which was co-ed and at 59th and Narragansett. It too is gone...
I have read this post and found it very interesting.
I don't think that it is so much as not having room for faith anymore, but rather the money to finance it. Catholic schools were known for expensive tuitions.
The times have changed, and money is hard to come by in this day and age of jobless recession.
Still, it was a shame to lose Lourdes.
Thank You.
Eddie K.
well i currently go to john hancock and love it
our former principle mrs. APKE passed away from cancer. we held a little memorial in the garden. but anyways hancock is a great school. and the nuns moved out in 2007. Now i have a ghost hunting club here and actually caught some footage of paranormal activity.
well so long ill be out of here in 2011
**soraida botello**
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