Our Legacy

Since its founding in 1927, St. Giles School has been a cornerstone of spiritual and academic development in Oak Park. The first Mass was celebrated in the home of James W. Reedy, and by August of that year, a temporary Sears and Roebuck building was erected where the church now stands. Recognizing the growing need for Catholic education, a permanent school was built with a church on the first floor and classrooms above, designed by architect Joseph W. McCarthy and constructed with soft-hued Mankato stone.

Led by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, the school quickly expanded. A convent was built in 1933 to house the Sisters, and as enrollment grew, so did the campus. The Corrigan Building, dedicated in 1954, added classrooms and a gym. The Gleeson Building followed in 1960, with a second floor added in 1983—now McDonough Hall, named in honor of Father Thomas McDonough.

Each building reflects the legacy of the pastors who helped shape our school: Father Corrigan, Father Gleeson, and Father Frawley. Today, St. Giles continues to honor its rich history while preparing students for a future rooted in Catholic values, academic excellence, and lifelong

1940s-1970s

1945 - Children of St. Giles School collected paper & scrap material and sold war bonds to support the war effort.

1960 - First annual summer workshop in kindergarten education was held for Catholic educators (28 lay teachers and 40 nuns) from throughout the United States arranged by DePaul university, and the National Catholic Kindergarten association.

1968 - St. Giles School elects its first school board to provide additional guidance to school leadership.

1976 - St. Giles School celebrates the nation’s bicentennial.

1980s - 1990s

1985 - Mrs. Therese Fenney becomes the first lay-principal of the school.

1991 - Fr. Raymond Goedert, St. Giles School alumnus, was consecrated as Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

2000’s - Present

2010 - St. Giles is honored with a National Blue Ribbon demonstrating exemplary academic performance.

2016 - Jack  and Peggy Crowe, both graduates of St. Giles School, found the Jack and Peggy Crowe Catholic Education Fund with $1 million endowment.

2024 - Dominican University's Goedert Center for early education integrates into St. Giles Preschool.

Sister Marie Imelda Wilson, O.P. played a significant role in shaping early childhood education at St. Giles School and beyond. She joined the St. Giles community in 1937 and dedicated 39 years to teaching, retiring in 1976. During her tenure, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Education from DePaul University in the 1940s, reflecting her commitment to professional growth and educational excellence.

Sister Marie Imelda was instrumental in designing Room 100 in the Corrigan Building—a kindergarten classroom inspired by Montessori principles. Today, that space continues to support our youngest learners as a shared environment for primary students.

Her contributions extended beyond the classroom. She authored a book on Catholic kindergarten education in Chicago and founded the National Catholic Kindergarten Association, helping to shape early childhood programs across the country.

Her work laid a foundation that continues to influence how we nurture and educate young children at St. Giles School.

Saint Giles was a Gallican saint remembered for his quiet life of prayer and the abbey he founded. Born into a wealthy family in Greece, he chose to leave behind a life of privilege and moved to France, near the mouth of the Rhône River, to live as a hermit. His only companion during this time was a female red deer.

The story of Saint Giles tells of a French king hunting in the forest and accidentally shot an arrow that wounded Saint Giles in the knee while aiming for the deer. Because of this injury, Saint Giles became known as the patron saint of the disabled. Impressed by Saint Giles’s holiness and humility, the king gave him land to build his abbey. Today, many churches located on the edges of towns and villages are dedicated to Saint Giles, honoring his life of solitude and devotion.