OLAFire Logo
Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958
nUserID=0

Personal Experiences with Our Lady of the Angels School Fire

If you have a personal experience, recollection or opinion about the December 1, 1958 Our Lady of the Angels school fire, whether you were present at the fire or not, you can relate it here. Any story or information is welcome as long as it relates to Our Lady of the Angels school fire.
Click here to add your OLA fire experience.        

Posted by: JimD On: 11/29/2008 ID: 402
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Chicago (South Shore Area)
On December 1st 1958, I was one day shy of celebrating my first birthday. Of course I have no recollection of the fire, but this event has touched me in many ways. My older sister was eleven years old and remembers it quite clearly.

As a grade school student in the 1960s, I was constantly reminded of the OLA fire whenever we had a fire drill. Our teachers would not tolerate any slowness or fooling around during a fire drill. They would tell us about the terrible fire at OLA.

In the late 1980s, I worked with a man who almost became a victim of the fire; his name was Bob. Well, Bob's parents were moving to the OLA neighborhood. An apartment was rented and Bob was taken to OLA to get signed up for seventh grade. This was about two weeks prior to the fire. The apartment lease somehow failed to materilize, and Bob's parents decided not to move. In 1991, Bob died of cancer and I still remember him telling the OLA story.

Later on, I found the OLAFire.com website and began an email conversation with the late Charlene Benza. Charlene was a wonderful person and we exchanged memories of Chicago, family, and the old neighborhoods. I was invited to a Friends of OLA meeting and got to meet Charlene and the rest of the wonderful people who are part of this organization. Although I was an outsider, they made me feel very welcome.

So much has been said about this event, the victims, and the survivors. I want to add my personal blessing to the victims of this tragedy. For I believe that had this fire not occurred, certainly an equal tragedy would have happened at another one of the firetrap schools around the city and/or nation. It might have been one of my schools or yours. But it would have happened.

Of course, my biggest wish of all is that this fire had not happened; that somehow we can go back to 2:00 PM on December 1st, 1958, and make it stop. But, alas, we cannot.

I want to add that this web site is a fabulous tribute to the people who were involved and tells a story for future generations. Kudos to the webmaster for the difficult job of maintaining the site and keeping the message clear.

God bless all of the victims and survivors as we remember them on December 1st, 2008. I will always remember them.


Posted by: Beth Troka Atkins On: 11/29/2008 ID: 401
Enrolled on 12/1/58? Present on 12/1/58? Injured? Age Grade Classroom Teacher
Yes Yes No 7 2 103 Miss Herlihy
We were reading at the end of the day when our teacher Miss Herlihy asked if anyone smelled smoke. Just as she said it the fire alarm sounded. Without coats we filed out of the room. Our classroom was on the first floor next to the Iowa Street exit. As we walked through the hall to the door I noticed the children coming from the second floor were running down the stairs and looked really scared. Once outside, our class took its place across the street from the rectory and, as in past fire drills, we turned around to face the school. There I could see dark smoke rising over the school into the sky. Students were still running out the doors.

A fire truck that was westbound in front of the church couldn’t get through due to all the cars in the street. I remember seeing a fire fighter getting down from the truck and shouting and directing the cars to get out of the way. This action to a seven year old seemed strange because I thought the siren was enough to get cars and people to move. There were children leaning out the windows of the second floor of the Iowa Street side of the building. These could have been Rooms 201 or 203. A priest was on the sidewalk below looking up and motioning, or talking, to them. Light colored smoke started coming out the windows over their heads. Then the smoke became more dark and dense. Fire fighters placed ladders at the windows, and the children started climbing down. I thought they were very brave because I would have been scared to be that high on a ladder.

Fire fighters emerged from the alley between the school and the rectory carrying children, and then they placed them on the lawn of the rectory. Not understanding the gravity of the situation I thought these children had fainted. Then someone covered them with blankets. A priest wearing a purple stole around his neck was leaning over them, anointing and blessing them. Learning of the sacraments in preparation for Communion I knew that was what you did for the sick and dying, and I knew that wasn’t good.

Looking toward the convent, which was across the street from the school on the Iowa side, I could see the older nuns standing on the sidewalk with their hands covering their mouths. Some dropped to their knees with hands in prayer; some were just throwing their arms in the air. As an adult I realize now they were in disbelief.

As we stood on the sidewalk lots of children without coats started running past us, and, at the time, I couldn’t understand why their faces and shirts were covered with black marks. Smoke and soot will do that. I recall the street starting to get wet from the fire hoses that were everwhere. More people were running toward the school.

At some point Miss Herlihy told us to follow her. She started leading us away from the school. I didn't know where we were going. I became scared that I might not know how to get to my home on the 1100 block of N. Monticello from wherever she was taking us. I broke from the line and started running home while hoping I wouldn’t get in trouble for doing that. As I neared Hamlin and Thomas an elderly couple stopped and asked me if school was out. All I could reply was “yes.” I didn’t know how to explain what was happening.

My Mother was at home and heard on the radio that the church was on fire. She decided to meet me so I wouldn’t be scared with all the fire trucks around the church. As she was on her way she saw one of the neighbor girls running home without her coat and shoes. When my Mother asked her what happened she told her the school was on fire. My Mom said she began running toward the school, but tripped and fell. A Police Officer riding a three-wheeler stopped to help her up. He said he was on his way to the school fire. As I ran east on Thomas I will never forget the sight of my Mother running toward me. She scooped me up and wrapped her coat around me. Because I was cold we stopped at a nearby corner store owned by Tony and Maria on the way home. There my Mother told them what was happening. We went into their apartment in the rear of the store and listened to the radio. Someone tried to give me a shot of whisky or something like that, but my Mom told them no. It’s crazy what you remember. While listening we heard that the roof of the school had collapsed. Everyone was upset and began crying. Before we left, Tony loaned me his son Sammy’s coat to wear for the rest of the walk home.

Once home, my Mom answered all phone calls by saying, “She’s home.” During those first few days we learned the names of the neighbor children that were injured or dead. It was difficult for me to understand how a child could die. I couldn’t comprehend that they were in heaven because they were too young. It didn’t make sense that I wouldn’t see them anymore. My parents, like others, went to many many, wakes.

Somtime later we were informed that coats had been collected from the school and were available for pick up at Mary Hall. I recall the coats were spread out on tables, and the smell of smoke was overwhelming. We took my coat to DeRosa’s Cleaners on Division. When we arrived a lot of people were already there dropping off their coats, and the cleaners smelled just as smoky as Mary Hall. One day as we walked past the school we could see workmen on the second floor throwing books and other debris out the window. In those days almost every classroom had a piano. It was almost surreal to see parts of a piano, especially the keyboard falling to the ground.

The Monday after the fire the students were bussed from OLA to Our Lady Help of Christians School. I find it interesting that this school was doing exactly what its name said, helping others. Help of Christians’ students attended classes in the morning, and we attended in the afternoon. Their students placed their books at one side of the desk so we could have room for ours. My grandparents lived in that parish, and sometimes my grandfather would wait outside so he could wave to me as we arrived or departed. At HOC we were given all new books and book bags. Sandwiches and milk were provided as well, which was something new for us.

I think it was after Christmas vacation that we were divided and sent to about four local public schools. I went to Cameron and now had a different teacher, Sister Faustina. Rooms on the third floor of Cameron were used for the OLA students. This relocation separated us from friends and classmates. There had been so much upheaval for fragile children. I recall some poor kids occasionally wetting their pants in class.

A sadness truly blanketed the neighborhood. When we met people in the stores, the adults spoke in hushed tones. Several times people would hug me and tell me how lucky I was. I remember being in a store and seeing a neighbor who had lost her daughter. She had a sweet smile, and with tears in her eyes she said she was happy that I was safe. I recall saying thank you, but my adult mind realizes she showed great kindness in the depth of her grief. As a parent and grandmother these stories have become more tragic to me.

My parents both graduated from OLA and had remained in the neighborhood, but chose to move away in April 1959. The first day at my new school included a surprise fire drill. I remember thinking that I should act controlled because just hours before I had just been introduced as a survivor of the Our Lady of the Angels fire. Back then the new school had an incinerator where they burned the refuse in the afternoon. Initially, I was scared to be in school and smell something burning. Although I was assured there wasn’t any danger, I never got used to that smell. I always had someone else light the candles on my daughters' birthday cakes and even owned a home for ten years before I used its fireplace. I always placed a big bucket of water next to it during each infrequent use.

My first job was at St. Anne’s Hospital. There I heard many nurses and doctors describe their experiences of that day and the time that followed, but not living in the neighborhood, I never had a chance to speak with any students who were there. I had so many memories, but no one with whom they could be validated. About twenty years after the fire I was fortunate to hear Michele McBride speak about her new book and about fire safety. She was exceptional, and she was my first connection to someone who “was there that day.” Over the years, through my employment, I have met others who attended OLA. Having that one date in common creates a certain level of understanding between strangers.

Thank you to the Friends of OLA for the good work they do and to our Webmaster for creating this forum and being a source of help to many.

Peace and Blessings


Posted by: jennifer On: 11/28/2008 ID: 400
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
My email address is mngrn10@yahoo.com and i really want to talk to joyce P. joyce if your wondering, i want to talk to you because you write to everybody and that is really sweet. Also, if any one else who went to ola please email me, you will be joyed


Posted by: Patrick On: 11/28/2008 ID: 399
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Superior & Lavergne
I was a kindergarden student at H.O.C. Help of Christians.. The events of that day and subsequent days have haunted me so...I as a child that young just knew something [evil] way out of the ordinary fire had happened.. My older sister ran through the apt we lived at yelling Our Lady of The Angels is burning down..! I remember the endless sound of sirens from the firehouse at Chicago & Laramie going to help put out that horrible fire.. I mentioned evil earlier because something evil I believe possesed that little boy to start that fire.. I really believe this.. Fifty years and this still haunts me.. I later went to S.P.C. and our football team played against O.L.A. some of the football players on their "big team" had burn scars I remember.. Everyone shook hands after the game but know one talked about the fire.. I met Mike Canella years later as a classmate at Willowbrook H.S. in Villa Park Ill. I remember we discussed the fire as at first I did'nt beleive him as we were freshmen together in science class I appologise Mike as I know better now.. If you read this Mike we were in Mr. Maggio's class together '68.. My good friend John from S.P.C. [St. Peter Canisuis] classmate later in life met his bride an O.L.A. student 1st grader her name is Bernadette.. May God bless all of you who survived with wonderful thoughts only and blessings of joy and good health for the rest of your lives..


Posted by: Barb On: 11/28/2008 ID: 398
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Oak Lawn, Illinois
I was a 7th grader that day and remember watching the news that night in horror...now a similar feeling to that experienced on 9/11/01. I felt like I knew those kids having been a Catholic School student for most of my life and went to St. Peter Canisius school just west of Our Lady of the Angels. Whenever I am at Queen of Heaven Cemetary to visit my family I always try to go past the area where the kids are...to say a prayer. Their names will always familiar to me. Families of those kids...know they will never be forgotten! Now, I'm a Grandmother of 6 precious children and still think of that fire and those kids when I see my grandchildren's schools. All on the first floor, able to get out quickly.

Many of the surviving kids went to St. Anne's Hospital at Division near Cicero...I was a student nurse there a few years after the fire and was told stories of how the little kids had been taken there and suffered so. I ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM AS THIS TIME OF YEAR APPROACHES...they have remained my angel friends all these years.


Posted by: Gayl A. Liebman On: 11/28/2008 ID: 397
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before A few blocks from our Lady of Angels - it was my parish
I was a student at Ryerson Elementary, several blocks away from OLA, but also I attended Catechism classes there every Wednesday afternoon. So, had the fire occurred on a Wednesday instead of a Monday both my brother and I would have been there. My cousin, Joan Rossi, was a lay teacher at OLA, who along with her friend Pearl Tristano, taught 5th grade. Both teachers were able to lead their students to safety. However, a good friend of mine, Joann Chapetta, perished in the fire. I could see smoke from the fire through the window of my class at Ryerson that afternoon. When I arrived home, my father told us a fire had broken out at OLA and I ran to a neighbor whose children attended OLA to inform her of the fire and my dad piled all of us in his car in an attempt to locate her two children, Celeste and Donny Florio. We encountered them a few blocks from our home on Ridgeway, stunned, without coats, but safe. My grandmother attended the funeral mass held at the Armory, and later served as a bus mother for two years as our catechism classes were held at other neighboring schools until a new school was built. We moved away from the neighborhood in 1962.I have carried the memory of that terrible afternoon for 50 years.


Posted by: Rolf A. Sivertsen On: 11/28/2008 ID: 396
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
I am a school superintendent in downstate rural I llinois. How sad. When I read the stories on your web site it nearly made me cry. I have two small boys and I can't fathom the sadness and grief the parents and families of the victims felt. May god bless their souls and god bless the Chicago Fire Department whom distinguished themselves on that sad day. It is true that schools are now safer than in 1958 and I am confident thousands of children have lived due to the tragedy of the Our Lady of the Angels fire.


Posted by: Mary Kay On: 11/27/2008 ID: 395
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Berkeley, CA
I was a second grader, newly moved back to California -- just in time for my First Communion, but had attended my first year and a half of elementary school in La Grange. (I have lived in Chicago now-again for the last 4 years) This fire has really affected the remainder of my life until now -- and probably forever. I'm not afraid of fire, per se --- I'm afraid of dying in or because of a fire .. though I'm not necessarily afraid of dying ... just in or because of a fire. Oddly enough .. I really don't think anyone else in my family .. Mom, Dad, brother (5 years older -- also in elementary school at the time) and sister (3 years older) were affected in the same way -- or maybe even remember -- until now .. the 50th commemoration year (my sister also lives in the Chicago area -- Dad and Paul are no longer living). Even in Berkeley -- probably because we were in a Catholic school and a Presentation Sisters school, this was tragic news .... and I had lived relatively close to Humboldt Park -- and my school in La Grange had been a two-story brick -- like Our Lady of the Angels. This event seriously had an effect on me .... to this day I mourn the children .. so like me then .. who died that day ........ my memory is that the Sisters told them to put their heads on their desks and pray .. and that's what they did .. I remember being told the same thing though not in the same tragic way ... to their parents and families .. my condolences and to all of us healing


Posted by: Tom Kearney On: 11/24/2008 ID: 394
Enrolled on 12/1/58? Present on 12/1/58? Injured? Age Grade Classroom Teacher
Yes Yes No 7 2 109 Sister Mary Faustina BVM
Late that Dec. 1st afternoon I was siting to the back of room 109 with Sister Mary Faustina B.V.M. as my teacher. I recall hearing the fire alarm but was surprised we were told to line up WITHOUT our coats & I knew it was cold outside. I think Sister said she was not informed of a fire drill so we should proceed out the side door to Avers Ave.Immediately upon exiting I saw DENSE black smoke flowing rapidly, almost as if a large fan was blowing it out the window above. Being only 7 yrs old & not knowing of the severity I was excited because there would be no school tomorrow. We lined up along the curb just North of the school. I was cold but remember seeing children jumping from the 2nd floor & laying on the ground.After a while we were told to go into a neighboring house. We ocassionally looked out the window & could witness all that was going on. I recall a loud noise & saw a great amount of smoke rise rapidly. I recall being told the school roof probably caved in.When an older child arrived I was lent a coat & escorted home by a "short cut" thereby missing my mother who was walking the 5 blocks nort on Hamlin Ave. She met my younger brother who was sent home from Mary & Joseph Hall ,buildings down the block from the main school building.My mother tells of covered bodies near the rectory & being told to call hospitals & the morgue for my status.


Posted by: Thea On: 11/23/2008 ID: 393
Enrolled on 12/1/58? Present on 12/1/58? Injured? Age Grade Classroom Teacher
Yes Yes No 11 7 202 St. Mary St. Rita
I was in the first row seat next to the windows when I saw St. Mary Davidis and kids yelling out the window....the school is on fire. get out...the school is on fire. Smoke just filled our room. You could not see your hand in front of your face. It was difficult breathing and to get to the hall. Tommy Raymond pulled me by the uniform back into the room where we broke windows so we could get to the firemans ladder. I was so scared. Going down the ladder I lost one of my shoes and knew my parents would be so very angry.
It is a good thing that today we can talk about what happened and read the information shared thru others. We were such a close school. We students all miss those that we had as friends and lost.