St. Mary Parish in Hyde Park, now known for its English Gothic building with stained glass and woodwork from the country’s finest studios, held its first Masses in a former feed store.

May 29, 1898

First Mass held for the new parish created by Archbishop Elder for parishioners then attending Holy Angels. Businessman Tilden French donated the building, a feed store on Griffith Avenue.

1904

First church built on donated land at Erie Avenue and Shady Lane and soon replaced by a below-ground church roofed over until funds were raised for a new, permanent church to be erected above it.

1907

Current English Gothic stone church completed. It features extensive English oak woodwork; glazed, figured floor tiles; elaborate, painted, wooden ceiling vaults; extensive stained glass windows from leading American studios; and an arched window that echoes the shape and size of the sanctuary window.

1908

St. Mary Grade School, staffed by Sisters of Charity, opened for 100 students in the church building.

1923

First floor of current school built for the high school, which became an all-girls school in the late 1920s when the boys moved to the new Purcell High School.

1964

High school program ended, girls moved to Marian High School, grade school moved to the former high school building and grade school building demolished.

2000

Major school renovation completed, and former convent converted to parish office and meeting space.

Central Crucifix Carved by Kirschmeyer, the massive suspended crucifix was the only one of its design in the U.S. and was the model for several others. Originally suspended over the communion rail, which was removed in a later renovation, the crucifix still hangs before the sanctuary, illuminated by the stained glass curtain wall above the elaborate, carved reredos.