The Need for a School
The Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ were called to work among the Croatian Schools in America. In 1906, Bosnian Adorers and Croatian immigrants were brought together by Divine Providence. These sisters arrived from the Banja Luka province and later established a province in Columbia, Pennsylvania. This province would supply the sisters to teach at many Croatian schools. Sisters were vital to the ethnic parishes: cultural transmission was endangered without schools.
By 1922, the debt on Saint Jerome Church was paid. A larger church on 28th and Princeton Avenue was purchased. The parish was growing and its pastor, Father Vjenceslav Vukonic, OFM, saw the need for a parish school. The newly arrived Croatian immigrants had been strong advocates of a parish school; the school was the means by which the Catholic Faith and Croatian language and culture could be preserved.
In the summer of 1922, the sisters arrived to teach here at Saint Jerome's School. This was a great day for Sisters Xavier, Aloysia, and Mary Benedict. Sister Aloysia was chosen for domestic work. Sister Benedict was to teach grades 1 and 2 while Sister Xavier was to teach grades 3 and 4. The school opened with over 200 students; Sister Benedict recalled that grades 1 and 2 numbered 102 children. By 1924, because of the large enrollment, four more classrooms were added to the school. The first graduation at Saint Jerome took place in 1927 with 13 graduates.
Surviving the Great Depression
During the worst years of the Great Depression (circa 1930), with a 90% unemployment rate at Saint Jerome's, the parish struggled to keep the school open. The sisters, while teaching, attended night classes at DePaul University. They also took care of the choir, sacristy, altar boys, and children's societies. For some sisters, it took as long as 20 years to earn their degrees. The sisters, so in tune with the needs of their people, published in 1929 the first Croatian hymnal (Kralju Vijekova) in America. This hymnal is still used today in many Croatian parishes.
The early Croatian immigrants loved the sisters and wanted their daughters to enter the community, believing they would be serving God and helping their own people. The work of the sisters was blessed because a number of girls from the parish entered their order: Sisters Martha Vuco, Geraldine Gusich, Eugine Bojich, Imelda Velcich, Loretta Bozich, Irene Jelacich, Beata Sablich, and Bernadine Condich.
Growth During the "Golden Age"
The school continued to grow, and a kindergarten was added. The number of children enrolled in the school varied through the years. The largest enrollment was during the 1953-54 school year, with 583 children. The largest graduating class was in 1956, with 73 graduates. The number of students who graduated from Saint Jerome School, since 1927, is over 2,200. The forties and fifties were truly the "Golden Age" of Catholic education in the United States. The keynote of the post-war era was "Catholic Schools for Catholic Children."
Aside from teaching the 3 R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic), the school kept alive the Croatian heritage of the parish. Croatian language and culture were part of the everyday curriculum. Students were taught to read, write, pray, and sing in Croatian. The Croatian Primer (Citanka) was a necessary book for all students. But by the late 1950's, the Croatian language was dropped from the curriculum. Still, the singing of patriotic and religious Croatian songs remained. For years, students represented Croatia in song and dance at the Museum of Science and Industry for the "Christmas Around the World" exhibition.
A New School is Erected
After many years, it became quite evident that the old school building had served its purpose. It became inadequate, obsolete, and even dangerous for the students. A new school had to be built as the best answer for the future welfare of the parish and its children. In May 1960, permission was given to Father Vitomir Naletelic to build a new school. Fox and Fox were chosen as its architects. Plans were drawn. The school was to stand in place of the old parish hall. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on September 18, 1960. Construction was begun. The new school was completed in May of the following year. The new school contained a parish social center. On September 24, 1961. His Eminence Albert Cardinal Meyer belled the new school. In 1975, the social center was enlarged and a modern new kitchen was added to the building.
The year of 1998, saw Saint Jerome's School celebrating its Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary). It was a culmination of seventy-five years of extremely difficult work, dedication, and sacrifice. The school is a monument to the parishioners and alumni who sacrificed energy, time, and money for the love of Saint Jerome's. The 1998 school reunion drew over 750 alumni, attesting to their dedication and love for St. Jerome.
Proud is Saint Jerome's of its alumni who have filled many important stations in life. Numerous religious, doctors, lawyers, architects, and public servants have passed through its doors. Among today's most notable are Illinois State Supreme Court Justice Michael A. Blandic and Mayor of Niles, Illinois, Nicholas Blase. Many second- and third-generation students are now attending Saint Jerome's.
Present and Future
Today the school is a modern building with 8 classrooms, a computer room, a kindergarten, and a preschool. The elementary school remains a vital part of the parish.
Three great factors contribute to the continued success of Saint Jerome's School: (1) the zeal of the hierarchy in Chicago, (2) the willingness and sacrifices of the clergy, religious, and lay teachers, and (3) the charity and work of the parishioners.