May 22 Summer School Sign-up Ends
May 22 Noon Dismissal
September 27 & 28
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Copyright © 2008
Saint Joseph School of Downers Grove
A Brief History of
St. Joseph School
1906 St. Joseph Church is founded.
1907 The cornerstone of a new church is laid at the Northeast corner of Main and Franklin Streets at what was the outskirts of town.
1908 First Mass is celebrated in St. Joseph’s new church.
1910 Father Goodwin [Pastor] arranged the opening of a parish grade school, tought by three devoted nuns from the Ursaline Sisters of Springfield, IL. Two classrooms were created by placing a partition in the room across the back of the church.
1911 St. Joseph School graduates its first class of four students.
1926 A modern eight-room school community hall is dedicated.
1931 The Sisters of Providence take responsibility for teaching at St. Joseph School.
1943 St. Joseph School graduates a class of 30 students.
1955 Addition is added to the school building, intended to be used as a gymnasium. However, due to crowded Masses, it is instead used as a new church. The original church is rededicated as Kiley Hall in honor of then pastor, Monsignor Lester Kiley, and remodeled for use as a gym.
1971-1977 Pastor Rev. Thomas Fleming initiates a continuing renovation program for the church and school, with much of the work performed by members of the parish.
1992 Pastor Rev. James Fitzgerald dedicates the new church on December 13.
1997 Father Paul Hottinger becomes pastor. In recent years he has overseen the installation of a new HVAC system and school computer network.
2007 Fr. Jerome T. Kish becomes pastor of St. Joseph of Downers Grove. Father Jerome came to us from SS Peter and Paul School.
2007 Mrs. Rita Stasi becomes our new Principal.