The Celebrated History
of Mendel Catholic High School

At the invitation of Samuel Cardinal Stritch, the Augustinian Order opened Mendel Catholic Prep High School in September 1951. The original building and 40-acre campus had been the site of the Pullman Free School, named for George Pullman, who founded the world-renowned Pullman Company.

Cardinal Stritch saw the opportunity for a high school that was needed for the Catholic young men in the Roseland community on the far south side of Chicago. In 1950, the Augustinian Provincial, Father Clement C. McHale, O.S.A., was invited to purchase the property with substantial financial help from the Cardinal. Extensive renovation was required before the school could be opened under the leadership of Father John L. Seary, O.S.A. and eight Augustinian priests.

The new school was named "Mendel" in honor of an Augustinian monk, Gregor Mendel, O.S.A., the father of Genetics, whose laws of heredity are world famous, and world-renowned.

Over Mendel's thirty-seven year history, Mendel experienced a growth pattern which consistently made it the fastest growing private high schools run by the Augustinian Fathers. Mendel was dedicated to providing quality education in a Christian context to college bound young men. Mendel provided for its young men a cultural, athletic, and academic environment that was both traditional, and innovative. Since the first graduating class of 1955 to the last graduating class of 1988, Mendel sent over 92% of its graduates on to promising college, and military careers. This is consistency ranks among the many outstanding accomplishments Mendel Catholic High School achieved. Mendel in 1979 was ranked as one of the top 10 high schools in America, by a noted education periodical. Mendel graduates have gone on to excel in all professional areas such as medicine, business, law enforcement and politics just to name a few.

Mendel men excelled in sports, winning two prep bowls championships, numerous catholic league championships in basketball, baseball, and wresting championships under the legendary coaching of 'The Dean of Catholic League Coaches' Lou Guida. Mendel men also excelled in the classroom winning numerous academic decathlons, and many academic awards over the years. This is truly a testament to the foundation laid down by the founders of Mendel, parents, students, coaches and teachers.

In the mid-1980's Mendel was a part of a study conducted by the Archdiocese of Chicago which evaluated the consolidation of many catholic high schools to combat the problem of declining enrollment and the declining interest of private catholic school education. With the improvement of many area public high schools, and suburban high schools, the competition for students made it increasingly difficult for quality institutions like Mendel Catholic to gain quality students who were academically prepared ready to undertake the rigorous academic curriculum Mendel offered.

Sadly, the decision was made in 1988 to close Mendel Catholic High School , and convert it to a co-ed catholic institution. Since Mendel's closing the alumni of Mendel led by Jack Vlazney, Class of 1961 and Dave Maher, Class of 1961 have worked hard to keep the memory and legacies of Mendel Catholic High School alive for the many thousands of men who walked its legendary halls. In 1998 a reunion was held for all the alumni of Mendel, and drew over 1,000 alumni. The Mendel Reunion committee, which organizes the all class reunions, alumni golf outings and other alumni events, will continue to interest the alumni in coming together to celebrate the many golden memories that all Mendel men share and revere.

This web site is dedicated to all Mendel Alumni.