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Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958
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In this 1959 photo, construction of the new school is just starting, on the same spot where the old school once stood.
#515   		This is a view of the new school shortly after its completion in 1960, as seen from a rooftop a block west on Iowa Street.
#516   		This is a view of the new school shortly after its completion in 1960. Picture is looking northeast across the intersection of Avers and Iowa from a nearby rooftop.
#517   		The new Our Lady of the Angels school at it's dedication in 1960 (left) and as it appears today (right). (Right photo courtesy of Chris Turek
#195  
This is the rebuilt Our Lady of the Angels school, as it appears today. Completed in 1960, the new school was designed to be highly fire-resistant. The church can be seen in the background in this view looking east on Iowa Street from the intersection with Avers. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#194   		The new school was built in 1960 almost entirely of concrete, steel, glass and other non-combustibles.This is the new school today (no longer a Catholic school) as seen from Iowa Street. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#193   		This view is looking north on Avers along the new school. The old north wing main entrance faced here on Avers in 1958. Just beyond the school is the alley where the snorkel worked and firemen desperately tried to rescue children from rooms 208, 210 and 212. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#198   		This is the cornerstone of the school built and dedicated in 1960 to replace the destroyed Our Lady of the Angels school. (Photo courtesy of Tom Margherone)
#210  
Our Lady of the Angels School was completely rebuilt after the fire - with all fire resistant materials. But it took over 40 years before a memorial to the victims was finally erected in the school. (photo by Tom Margherone
#180   		Current photo of Memorial. Reportedly, the statue was originally from the rectory garden. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#284   		The of base of Memorial as it exists today in the “new” school. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#282   		The inscription reads: “On 1 December 1958, a fire on this site destroyed the school building, taking the lives of 92 schoolchildren and 3 Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and injuring many. This statue of Our Lady of the Angels is placed here in loving memory of both the deceased and the survivors of that fire. We offer to them and their families our prayers with faith in God's merciful care for all who suffered so terribly on that day. Erected by the generous donations of The last Graduating Class of OLA School, 1999 and His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, OMI” (photo by Tom Margherone)
#181  
The names of those who died as a result of the fire are inscribed on the memorial. (photo by Tom Margherone
#182   		The front of the church as seen from near Iowa and Avers. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#190   		Front of the OLA Church, as it appears today. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#293   		The Our Lady of the Angels church is now an Evangelical church, but every year on December 1, a Catholic Mass is held for the victims of the OLA fire. On December 1, 2002, there were about 25 in attendance and the mood was very somber and prayerful. The readings were done by OLA graduates from the early sixties and the mid seventies. (Photo and description of service courtesy of Chris Turek)
#188  
This is the front of the church, facing Iowa Street. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#189   		Another view of the front of the church. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#191   		Front of church. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#291   		This is a close up of the carvings above the left main entrance to the church. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#286  
Design above the main entrance of the church. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#289   		Items above the main entrance to the church. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#288   		Cornerstone of Church, indicating it's construction date of 1939. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#290   		(Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#192  
Side of the Church as seen from Hamlin street. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#283   		During the memorial mass candles were lit, each with the name of a fire victim affixed. The candles were placed in the alcove to the left. After the mass, members of the congregation were invited to take a candle home if they wished. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#196   		A sanctuary within the church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In front are a few candles from the December 1, 2002 OLA memorial service. (Photo courtesy of Chris Turek)
#197   		The entrance to the Rectory, which is next to the church. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#294  
Patio of the rectory. The walkway to the left leads directly to the church. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#280   		Interior of the rectory courtyard. May Crowning apparently took place in the garden. Does anyone know of any other events that took place in the garden? (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#279   		These are switches found directly to the left upon entey to the rectory. Name 1 is Reverend Desmond, Name 2, 3, 4 blank, Name 5 is Reverend Maxa, and Number 6 is alarm. A push button and a switch are below each name. This device is an early version of a pager and cheaper and less intrusive than an intercom. Rectories and convents, although not quite monastic, were certainly subdued and contemplative places. When visitors arrived at the rectory to see a particular priest, he would have been summoned, usually by the housekeeper, with this device. Each resident had their coded number of rings or chimes programmed into the system and they were summoned to the vestibule by their individual coded chime. Most rectories were large places and decorum would have prevented the house keeper from yelling upstairs for Father so and so. [Thank you Thomas DeMaria for this explanation.] (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#276   		Kneeler found in the basement of the rectory of OLA. This was used by the priest in the rectory. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#275  
Dome found directly in the storage room of the kitchen. Collection baskets (extenders only) are visible in the background. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#277   		This appears to be a laundry chute. Note the warning to close the chute door to avoid a fire hazard. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#278   		The convent across Iowa Street, as it appears today. (Photo courtesy of Renee Jackson)
#287   		Panorama-style picture of the Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corp ceremony for the OLA fire victims at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on December 7, 2003. (Photo courtesy of Serge Uccetta)
#325  
Father Tom Mulcrone, Chaplain of CFD (Chicago Fire Department) and of IAFF (International Assoc. of Fire Fighters), and Rev. Jerry Boland, Administrator, Holy Family Church. 45th Anniversary Mass at Holy Family Church on December 1, 2003. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#355   		Bishop Conway at the 45th Anniversary Mass on December 1, 2003. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#356   		Knights of Columbus at the 45th Anniversary Mass on December 1, 2003. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#357   		Panorama-style picture of the Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corp ceremony for the OLA fire victims at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on December 5, 2004. (Photo courtesy of Serge Uccetta)
#419  
OLA Memorial Statue, original erected in the “new” Our Lady of the Angels Elementary School by the last graduating class of the school, the class of 1999. The statue was moved to Holy Family after it was discovered covered by a sheet in the now non-secular school. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#358   		Serge and Connie Uccetta at the 45th Anniversary Mass on December 1, 2003. Serge is a survivor of room 208. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#359   		Mary Ellen Hobik, Kathy Jacobellis, Ms. Rossi, Sr. Remi, Pat Meja at the 45th Anniversary Mass on December 1, 2003. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#360   		Bob Mujica, Kathy Jacobellis, Joe Mugnani, Mary Ellen Hobik and Mike Michalski at the 45th Anniversary Mass on December 1, 2003. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#361  
Bob Mujica and Andy Lego at the December 1, 2003 45th Anniversary Mass. (Photo Courtesy of Alice Mujica)
#362   		This is the beautiful memorial that was dedicated at the “new” OLA school by the graduating class of 1999. It was moved to Holy Family Church in the fall of 2003.
#395   		Another view of the OLA Memorial as it is today at Holy Family Church. (Photo Courtesy of Jim Grosso)
#395   		Webmaster Eric Morgan at the OLA Memorial in Holy Family Church on January 9, 2004. (Photo Courtesy of Jim Grosso)
#395  
The beautiful granite base of the memorial with the names of each victim engraved in the stone.
#396   		The statue of the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Angels) as seen from the side.
#397   		The beautiful statue of Our Lady of the Angels that stands atop the engraved granite block, forming the OLA memorial donated and dedicated by the class of 1999, the last graduating class of OLA.
#399   		Holy Family Church, new home for the OLA Memorial. The Sears tower can be seen in the background.
#372  
Holy Family Church, the second oldest church in Chicago, and Fire House 18 (smaller building to the right), the oldest firehouse in Chicago.
#373   		Holy Family Church, which survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and next to it St. Ignatious Prep High School, one of the better High Schools in Chicago.
#374   		Our Lady of the Angels school in January 2004. This view is from Iowa Street in front of the OLA church.
#377   		The OLA school, as seen from the corner of Iowa and Avers in January 2004.
#389  
A view of the school looking south on Avers. The alley where many children jumped is just to the left.
#378   		This view of the school is looking north on Avers from the intersection of Iowa and Avers.
#390   		Looking north on Avers next to the school.
#391   		This view is from the corner of Iowa and Avers, looking east on Iowa. The school is on the left, and the former convent is the red brick building on the right. The church is visible on the left at the end of the block beyond the school.
#392  
This view is looking south on Avers away from the school, from the corner of Iowa and Avers.
#394   		From the corner of Iowa and Hamlin looking northwest at the former OLA parish property: the school, the rectory and the church.
#367   		A view of the OLA church as seen from across Iowa Street near the former convent.
#379   		Our Lady of the Angels Church in January 2004.
#380  
Front of the church as seen from across Iowa Street. While the church is at this time leased to another denomination and is now “The New Miracle Temple”, the sign above the main entrance still reads “Our Lady of the Angels.”
#381   		The OLA church as seen from the corner of Iowa and Hamlin.
#382   		This view is looking north on Hamlin from the intersection at Iowa. The OLA church is on the left.
#371   		Looking east on Iowa at the intersection with Hamlin. The church is out of view, behind and to the left of this location.
#375  
This is the alley where many children jumped from rooms 208, 210 and 212 on December 1, 1958. Barbara Glowacki's candy store has since been torn down, but originally stood next to the house visible at left. The “new” school is somewhat larger than the old school was and covers the old alley, making this alley approximately the same size as the original.
#363   		This is the alley running north from the school. The school is behind the location from which this picture was taken.
#365   		This view shows the church (upper left-center) and the back of the rectory. Note the coiled razor wire on the gate and top of the garage. Unfortunately, the neighborhood is a high crime area today.
#386   		This is looking south into the gangway that separates the school and the rectory, just as it did in 1958. This is the corner in which the fire started at the foot of a stariwell in the old school
#369  
This is looking west in the alley on the north side of the school, toward Avers Avenue. The candy story once stood on this location, next to the house at right.
#400   		Looking north through the gangway separating the school and the rectory. Note the standpipe on the school, a fire fighting aid not present in the old school.
#370   		The convent across Iowa Street from the school looks much as it did in 1958, however it is no longer used as a convent, but like other parish properties, is being leased.
#368   		The rectory looks much the same in 2004 as it did in 1958.
#387  
This is Brian Piccolo Specialty School, which in 1958 was Razin Orr Elementary, a public school that many OLA students attended while their new school was being built.
#383   		John Hay Elementary School, a public school, was a replacement school for some OLA students while their school was being rebuilt in 1959 and 1960.
#376   		Our Lady Help Of Christians Elementary School was another replacement school for OLA.
#384   		Our Lady of Grace was another replacement school for OLA students, although apparently only a few OLA students were transferred here after the fire.
#385  
Cameron Elementary School, a public school, was one of 7 replacement schools for OLA students.
#366   		St. Peter Canisius School was a replacement school for OLA students to which only a few were transferred after the fire.
#393   		The Altar at Holy Family Church, 46th Memorial Mass, December 1, 2004. (Photo courtesy of Betti Marino-Wasek)
#424   		OLA Memorial at Holy Family Church. (Photo courtesy of Betti Marino-Wasek)
#425  
Mrs Maffiola (center) and helpers, lighting candles as each name is read. (Photo courtesy of Betti Marino-Wasek)
#426   		John Raymond reading the names of classmates lost in the fire. (Photo courtesy of Betti Marino-Wasek)
#427   		Chuck Gerlach reading the names of lost classmates, including his wife's sister Christina Vitacco. (Photo courtesy of Betti Marino-Wasek)
#428   		Members of the Royal Airs pay tribute in December 2006 to their former members and others who perished in the OLA fire. (Photo courtesy of Serge Uccetta)
#429  
Royal Airs members place a wreath at the memorial for the victims of the OLA fire at Queen of Heaven cemetery. (Photo courtesy of Serge Uccetta)
#430   		Former OLA Church in September 2007 (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#432   		Former OLA Church in September 2007 (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#433   		Former OLA School in September 2007 (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#434  
Former OLA Rectory in September 2007 (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#435   		Former OLA Rectory in September 2007 (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#436   		New memorial to fire victims outside rectory (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#437   		Memorial listing nuns and first 45 children who died in the OLA fire. (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#438  
Memorial listing remaining children who died in the OLA fire. (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#439   		Former Convent across Iowa Street from the school. (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#440   		Sign identifying current occupant of the OLA school building (Galapagos Charter School). (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#441   		Alley on north side of school (somewhat north of 1958 alley location). (Photo courtesy of Robert Johncola)
#443  
49th Memorial Mass at Holy Family Church on 12/02/07 (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#450   		49th Memorial Mass at Holy Family Church on 12/02/07 - the memorial quilt made by Christine Karkoszka Anderson in 2004. (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#451   		49th Memorial Mass at Holy Family Church on 12/02/07 - candles for the 95 victims (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#452   		Cardinal George greets parishoners in the OLA church on 12/8/07 on the day of the OLA Memorial dedication. (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#444  
(Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#445   		Cardinal George (left) dedicated the new OLA monument, located in front of the former OLA rectory. (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#446   		Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (center) was in attendance at the dedication of the new OLA Memorial. (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#447   		View of the former OLA rectory showing the location of the new OLA Memorial. (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#448  
Nice view of the three granite markers that make up the new OLA Memorial. (Photo courtesy of Luci Kuziw)
#449   		Members of the Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps gather at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on December 5, 2010 for their annual memorial to the victims of the OLA fire. Three of their members were among the victims: color guard captain Frances Guzaldo; bugler Roger Ramlow; and flag-bearer Valerie Thoma. (Photo courtesy of Serge Uccetta)
#496   		A bugler plays taps at Queen of Heaven Cemetery as the American and OLA flags flutter in the chilly air on December 5, 2010. Every year on the first Sunday in December, members of the Royal Airs hold a memorial here for the victims of the fire. The fire 52 years ago claimed the lives of three of their members. (Photo courtesy of Serge Uccetta)
#497   		On December 2, 2012, members of the Royal Airs held a memorial for the victims of the OLA fire at the gravesite of 27 of the victims at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL. (Photo Courtesy of Burt Convey)
#514  
The Royal Airs lost three of their members in the OLA fire, 12-year-old Frances Guzaldo and 13-year-olds Roger Ramlow and Valerie Thoma. (Photo Courtesy of Burt Convey)
#515   		The Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps memorial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, December 2, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Burt Convey)
#516   		The Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps memorial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, December 2, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Burt Convey)
#517   		The Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps memorial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, December 2, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Burt Convey)
#518  
The Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps memorial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, December 2, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Burt Convey)
#519   		Father Robert Lombardo, one of the founding friars of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, was tapped by Francis Cardinal George in 2005 to establish a Catholic outreach at Our Lady of the Angels, site of the 1958 school fire. Father Bob organized an extraordinary renovation of the OLA church through the dedicated efforts and donations of numerous volunteers. The restoration was completed in April 2012, and the former parish church is now the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels. (Photo Courtesy of Stephen DiBrito)
#521   		The Our Lady of the Angels Church in July 2012 following restoration work by volunteers organized by Father Bob Lombardo. At far left is the “new” school, now leased to a charter school. (Photo Courtesy of Stephen DiBrito)
#522   		The interior of Our Lady of the Angels Church in July 2012, after being restored to its former beauty by volunteers under the direction of Father Bob Lombardo. (Photo Courtesy of Stephen DiBrito)
#520  
Another interior view of the restored Our Lady of the Angels Church in July 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Stephen DiBrito)
#523  

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