History

Since 1941, St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin has meant "high-quality Catholic education" to thousands of young men and women in the Fox Valley area. Emphasizing that our faith in Christ is the most important reason for our school, we seek to produce students who will understand the relationship and influence between religion and life.

We are a four-year, coeducational, Central Catholic high school. As a Christ centered high school, theology is an important aspect of each school day.

St. Edward offers a complete program of religious activities including Mass, overnight retreats, and Days of Recollection, nurturing the spiritual lives of our students all year long.

St. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) Edward the Confessor was born at Islip, England. He was the son of King Ethelred III. Edward was King of England from 1042-1066. He built St. Peter's Abbey at Westminster.  Edward was known for his piety and compassion for the poor. He died in London on January 5, 1066.  His body was later found to be incorrupt. He was canonized in 1161 by Pope Alexander III. We celebrate St. Edward's feast day on October 13.

St. Edward Central Catholic High School was first opened in 1941.  In the spring of 1941, the Elgin parishes of St. Joseph, St. Mary and St. Laurence agreed to combine funds and efforts to build a high school in order to provide a Catholic secondary education for the students of Elgin and surrounding communities.

The former Lord School Building was purchased in May of 1941 and renovation was completed in time for classes to begin on September 8th of that same year. It was decided to name the school St. Edward High School in honor of Bishop Edward F. Hoban, second Bishop of Rockford.

 Bishop Hoban came to St. Edward to dedicate the new school on Sunday, October 12, 1941, the eve of the feast of St. Edward.

The Sisters of St. Dominic from Adrian, Michigan, staffed the faculty of the new high school, later living in the convent built for them just across the street from the school.  The priests of the area served as instructors in Theology. Under the leadership of one of those priests, Father William Boland, property was obtained for the present athletic field across from the school.

The first superintendent of St. Edward was Father Laurence C. Prendergast, founding pastor of St. Laurence Parish in Elgin. Sister Rose Concepta, O.P., served as the first principal.

As the enrollment increased it became evident that an addition with a gym would be necessary. In 1950 an addition was built, consisting of a gymnasium, library, music room and recreation hall.

In 1962 additional classroom space was needed and a new addition was built which opened in September of 1963. The new addition was dedicated by Bishop Loras T. Lane on June 5, 1964.

It was at this time that St. Edward High School became a Central High School supported by all the parishes of the Elgin Deanery, rather than just the four Elgin parishes alone. In 1967 the original Lord School building was torn down and in 1970 it was replaced by a third addition which provided more classrooms as well as a girls' gym. The new addition was formally dedicated by Bishop Arthur J. O'Neill on May 26, 1970.

St. Edward High School is no longer staffed by Adrian Dominican Sisters. There is currently one full-time priest serving as Assistant Principal and Dean of Religion, and four part-time priests teaching Theology.

Into the 21st Century St. Edward took on yet another look. Construction was completedfor six new classrooms, a new, larger chapel, administrative offices and an open-air courtyard.

Lord School (1941) The original building of St. Edward High School was a public elementary school named Lord School.  It was refurbished, used for several years, then torn down to make way for the current north end of the school.

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(Last updated 10/06/05)