History2

Father David P. Dowdle was installed at St. Gall's seventh pastor on October 16th,
1992. It was under Father Dowdle's guidance the Hispanic Ministry began in order to
reach out to the growing Hispanic population of Gage Park. The first Spanish-language
Mass was celebrated on December 12th, 1996. More than 2,500 people attended the
Mass. It was at this time that two Spanish language Masses were added to the
weekend rotation to serve the growing Hispanic population.

On November 19th, 2000, St. Gall parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. It is a rare
milestone and St. Gall parish has been blessed as it continues to thrive and serve the
needs of the Gage Park community. Weekly Mass attendance continues to grow and
thrive, and we welcome new additions to our parish and school families. We are
blessed to have such dedicated new parishioners, as well as faithful and loving
parishioners who have served St. Gall for decades. It is because of their support that
we continue to be successful

School enrollment has ebbed and flowed over the years due to increased population
and the closing of other local schools. When the first permanent school building
opened, St. Gall welcomed 100 children into the fold. At the time the new church was
dedicated, school enrollment was over 1,000. When the parish celebrated it's 75th
anniversary in 1974, enrollment was 618 students. In the year 2010, our present
enrollment is 231.

In the 1980s and 1990s, St. Gall School began to move into the Information Age. A
classroom was converted into a Computer Lab, and the school was wired for Internet
access. The after school Computer Club was transformed into a computer class, and
each student attends class once to twice a week. Today, each classroom has at least
one desktop computer, and all students have Internet access. St. Gall School also has
wireless Internet. Most classrooms have a "white board" or interactive technology
board, as well as an LED projector, which can be used in conjunction with a classroom
laptop. As our world becomes more connected, St. Gall School recognizes that our
graduates must be prepared to interact with the new and changing technology they
will be exposed to.

Beginning in 2001, work was done on the school to improve the building and thus
enhance the education the students received. The old windows were replaced with
windows that are heat efficient and soundproof. Our proximity to Midway Airport is an
asset, but our soundproof windows allow education to continue without the
interruption of sound pollution from the airport.

With the addition of the windows, brand new air conditioning and heating systems
were installed in each classroom. Ceiling fans were also added to keep the rooms
from becoming too hot. The new windows are also equipped with emergency exits.
Finally, brand new counter tops and cabinets were added to each classroom. The
Computer Lab was also updated in 2004 to provide our students with the best
possible opportunities. Our lab currently houses 35 computer stations, an interactive
white board, headphones, a photo/document scanner, two printers, and the Internet
and wireless servers for the entire school.

In the 1990s a classroom was converted into a functioning Science Lab. Students
receive practical experience performing experiments in biology, the life sciences, and
chemistry.

As the demand grew, a Preschool program was added in the mid-1990s and
Kindergarten became a full day program. Each program introduces children to a
Catholic education from a young age, and both programs allow students to become
members of the St. Gall family from the very beginning.

Father Gary Graf was installed as the 9th pastor of St. Gall on January 24th, 2010. It is
the hope that the ministry begun by the previous pastors, sisters, ministers, and
parishioners will continue well into the next 100 years.

As we look toward our school's 100th anniversary, it is the hope and prayer of all who
work and serve at St. Gall that the parish and school continue to thrive and do the
work of God here on earth. While many generations have come and gone from St. Gall,
we know that as the people of God gathered together, St. Gall is our home.

To read the lists of our principals, pastors, and sisters, please
continue...

The History of St. Gall Parish and School:
Part 2