Sacred Heart High School, Mokena, IL (1954-1971)
(Written by Sr. Kathleen Hook, OSF)
Mokena (population: 19,887) is a southwestern suburb of Chicago along Interstate 80 nestled among a cluster of New Lenox, Frankfort, and Arbury Hills in Will County. The name Mokena is a name apparently derived from a Native American language meaning “turtle.” The Pottawatomie Indians, who roamed the Hickory Creek area, were friendly to the first settlers. In 1833, the tribe signed the “Treaty of Chicago” and moved west to Missouri. Here’s a timeline of the development of the community from 1831-1970:
1831-The first settlers, principally of German and Swiss origin, settle in Mokena. In their native countries most were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
1852-The first run of the wood burning Rock Island Rocket comes through Mokena on October 10.
1860-Mathias and Margaret Enders, who emigrated from Germany, give land to the diocese as a future site for the first Catholic church in the area (St. Mary).
1864-St. Mary (German) Catholic Church is built for 9 families.
1878-Mokena’s population reaches 500. St. Mary Church membership increases to 30 families.
1880-Mokena’s population is 522. The village is incorporated.
1949-The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart open St. Mary School.
1950-Mokena’s population is 903.
1954-St. Mary Church has 50 registered families.
1968-Interstate 80 became accessible along with other major highways.
1970-Mokena’s population is 1,643.
In the fall of 1954, Sacred Heart High School was established at St. Francis Woods in Mokena, by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Its first Principal was Sister Adeline Mazure, OSF. It opened as a school for girls who were interested in becoming a Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart but who had not completed their high school education. Classes were taught by the Sisters and were held in one wing of the convent. The first student body consisted of nine aspirants, three postulants, and eleven novices, all of whom lived on campus.
After inspection by State Superintendent representatives, the school was accredited by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in January of 1956. At this time, a Certificate of Recognition was received which was renewed annually without interruption.
Due to the many requests from graduates of elementary schools in the vicinity, permission was sought of the Most Reverend Martin D. McNamara, Founding Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, to admit day students. His response was, “By all means admit day students into the convent classrooms.” Therefore, in September of 1956, Sacred Heart High School opened its doors to four girls from Saint Mary School in Mokena, Illinois, who would be its first day students.
Sacred Heart High School was first accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in March of 1962. This recognition added considerable prestige to the school. The enrollment increased to such an extent that the establishment of a separate school building became imperative. Consequently, ground-breaking ceremonies for a new high school were held on August 11, 1963.
During the following year, the school was built on the west section of the St. Francis Woods property. In May of 1964 the school was again visited and inspected by a team of nine members from the North Central Association. They were deeply impressed. As a result of their visitation, Sacred Heart was placed on the highest level of accreditation by this accreditation agency. The team’s visitation was preceded by a year-and-a-half of self-evaluation conducted by the principal and the faculty. This was a tremendous task but very enlightening and worthwhile.
The fall of 1964 was a memorable one. The first classes were held in the newly constructed high school building. This building was dedicated by the Most Reverend Bishop McNamara on May 2, 1965. The first class that graduated from the new school numbered 52 students.
The school’s enrollment continued to increase. A Mother’s Club, a Father’s Club, and a number of student organizations were established. Due to the shortage of Sisters, the 1965-1966 school year brought Sacred Heart its first lay teachers. In 1966, Sacred Heart welcomed its first foreign exchange student from Chile, South America. In 1968, Sacred Heart reached its peak enrollment of 287 girls with a registration of 300 for the 1969-1970 school year.
Student enrollment, however, failed to reach the estimated predictions through the years, and financial concerns continued to mount with no realistic solutions. After much prayer and discussion, Sacred Heart High School was forced to close its doors in June of 1971.
DETAILS ABOUT MOKENA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL
Year opened: 1954
Year closed: 1971
Operated by: Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart
School colors: Red and White
School theme: “This is our quest to follow that star; no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.”
School Song: (Greensleeves melody)
A leafy tree, a winding road,
A setting for our wisdom.
Where hearts are young and gay and blithe,
And ties remain unbroken.
This, this is Sacred Heart,
Where friendships grow and memories start.
This, this is Sacred Heart,
Her spirit we’ll long remember.
Activities offered at Sacred Heart:
- Clubs
- National Honor Society
- Student Council
- Yearbook
- Debate
- Drama
- Library
- Camera
- Chorale
- Mother’s Club/Father’s Club
- Red Cross
- Quill and Scroll
- Foreign Language
- Daughters of American Revolution
- Sports
- Intramurals
- Basketball
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Activities
- World’s Finest Chocolate Sale
- Car Washes
- Food Collections for the Poor
- Cheerleading
- Stunts, Tumbling, Trampoline
- Events
- Monthly First Friday Mass
- May Crowning of Mary
- Annual Retreat
- Foreign Language Week
- Fashion Show
- Christmas Dane
- Spring Pom
- Sock Hops
“Following the gravel road past the syndicate-owned farm to the blue-grey glass brick building amid the woods and fields. It is assaulted seasonally by snowstorms, frequently by wind, and daily by 240 teenage girls consciously struggling to the independence of adulthood, and unconsciously fighting for the wisdom of adulthood through education. Daily 240 teenagers ride miles in yellow school buses to Sacred Heart, a modern two-story building completed in 1964. When students leave each day, part of their drive and ambition and spirit is left behind in the guise of an after-school researcher, a late-night journalist, or a hard-working actress.” (Sandalwood Yearbook 1967)
Favorite Memories
“When I look back on those years, it’s the friendships we formed that were of greatest value. I think because we were in an all-girls school, the complications of going to school with boys was one less stressor on our emerging social selves.” (Diane Annweiler Palaces)
“Sacred Heart High School and St. Francis Woods happened at a “Camelot” time in my life. I treasure the excellent education received which gave me a solid foundation to build on in college.” (Paula Atwood)
“It was nice to be able to attend a small school and get to know everyone. We were like one big family, getting to know one another and living for God. I still miss St. Francis Woods very much.” (Rosita Gonzales Koehler)
“I feel that nuns instilled the attitude in us that we could achieve anything we wanted. We could stand on our own two feet. Also that we had to give back to the community (sharing).” (Patricia Joschko Roberts)
“During my three years at SHHS, I met girls who are still my besties! To this day we see each other once a month for lunch. We may not look like we did then, but to each other, we are exactly the same inside and outside.” (Lori Kipta-Vollbrecht)
“The environment was conducive to environmental learning even though that wasn’t a topic of the generalized curriculum and studies. The teachers, Franciscan Sisters, had a true appreciation of environmental awareness and ecology.” (Sue Richardson)
“We were in it together. That’s my recollection. Teachers, staff, and students worked on EVERYTHING together—setting up and putting away the chairs for assemblies, cleaning the school, raising money, and the usual business of education. My favorite spheres were sports and drama—accomplished together.” (Sister Christina Fuller)