Mount Carmel

History

In the Fall of 1900, the Carmelite order established St. Cyril College at 54th and Jefferson (now Harper) on Chicago's South side. In the first year there were 13 students and five priest teachers. The following year the college was moved to 64th and Washington (now Blackstone) because of the need for a larger building and better access to public transportation. The St. Cyril College Building at 64th and Star (now Dante) was completed in 1902, and classes began with 137 students and 11 faculty members.

At first the college had three departments: (1) Academic, which included both a junior high and a high school program; (2) College, a four-year program with emphasis on Greek and Latin; (3) Commercial, a three-year course. In 1918, with young men being called to serve in World War I, the college curriculum was dropped while the high school department was enlarged and improved.
Dedication - 1924

In December 1922, Father Elias Magennis, General of the Carmelite Order, and Archbishop Mundelein of Chicago agreed on the need for the immediate construction of a new St. Cyril High School Building. In the spring and summer of 1924, a three story main building was erected by the Thompson-Starrett Construction Company with Zachary Davis as the architect. William Lynch, a St. Cyril College graduate, was in charge of construction. Later that fall, the new building was dedicated as Mount Carmel High School.

Even in its early years, the school's tradition of alumni sending their sons to Mount Carmel was strong. But during the late 1960s, the economic deterioration of the Woodlawn neighborhood contributed to a significant decrease in enrollment. Mount Carmel's close proximity to the Black P. Stones/El Rukn street gang may have also hurt the school's ability to attract students. But thanks to the efforts of Father David Dillon and numerous other Mount Carmel faithful, the school survived by bussing in students from neighboring areas- many of whom are carrying on family legacies. Current redevelopment projects in the Woodlawn area and southern expansion by the University of Chicago have improved the future outlook of the school and its surrounding community.

Campus

The Mount Carmel campus is located at the intersection of East 64th Street and South Dante Avenue, less than a mile from Lake Michigan. The oldest surviving structures are the three-story main building and the Carmelite Chapel.

In the 1950s and 60s, Mt. Carmel saw the addition of two buildings: the Student Center and the two-story Learning Center. Since then, the campus has gradually been enlarged, beginning with the student parking lot and the athletic field on the south end of the property. Thanks to the Capital Campaign Case Study, the campus was further expanded to include the Scott School property. In 1992, construction began on a new monastery for the Carmelites. Additionally, a science and computer center called the Graham Center was built on the site of the old Carmelite Monastery. Although the old Priory was demolished to make room for the Graham center, the original Chapel was saved and given a facelift.

The school again expanded in 2005 by adding the Mt. Carmel Convocation Center.[citation needed]. The structure houses three gyms, an indoor track, weight room, offices, locker rooms, meeting areas for alumni and faculty, a student center/dining hall, and new computer and science labs. A new student parking lot was built on the north end of the campus.

In addition to the Convocation Center, Mt. Carmel's athletic facilities include Carey Field for football and Haggerty Field for baseball and soccer. The 'Old Gym' still hosts athletic competition, including the school's annual Fight Night boxing event. The original four-lane, 20 yard pool hosts the Swimming and Water Polo teams. Off-campus facilities used by the school include the Jackson Park trails and practice fields, Gately Stadium, Eckersall Stadium, and the Homewood-Flossmoor ice arena.

Original article from wikipedia.com