St. Christina Parish has shaped the Catholic life of Chicago's Mt. Greenwood community for a century, growing from a portable church in 1926 to a brick landmark that seats 1,500 and a PreK-8 school that has educated generations of neighborhood children since 1938. Located near 111th and Homan on the city's south side, the parish today pairs its long history with a thriving school under the leadership of Fr. Ryan Brady, the current pastor, with Fr. Wayne Svida serving as associate pastor.
From Two and a Half Acres to a Thousand-Seat Church
Rev. Peter Geraghty saw the need for a Catholic church in the expanding Mt. Greenwood community in 1921 and purchased two and a half acres near 111th and Homan. With the help of families led by James Burns, Cardinal Mundelein granted permission to establish a permanent parish. The first Mass was celebrated by St. Christina's first appointed pastor, Rev. Thomas Friel, at Cunningham School, and a portable church was soon constructed at 11023 South Homan. On June 15, 1927, the Liturgy of the Word was celebrated in the new church building for the first time, marking the beginning of many construction projects that involved the men of the parish.
Under Rev. J.A. Rebedeau, who became pastor in September 1929, Mt. Greenwood experienced a population boom. The men of the parish built a recreation center that was dedicated in December 1929, completed a rectory the following year, and constructed a permanent brick church in time for Christmas Day Mass in 1935. Cardinal Stritch dedicated the larger, still-standing church on May 27, 1956, and the building continues to seat 1,500 worshippers.
Subsequent pastors built on this foundation. Father John Ireland Gallery became pastor in April 1958 and served for 15 years before retiring on his 70th birthday. Father Pavis, who arrived in January 1973, developed funding solutions that sustained the parish through needed repairs and motivated parishioners to support parish projects. Father Curran led the parish for thirteen years. Father Martin O'Donovan, a former Mt. Greenwood resident and parishioner, became the sixth pastor in July 1993 and, for fifteen years, was remembered for his example of prayer and action, speaking with grace and conviction about forgiveness, tolerance, and overcoming negativity. The parish said farewell to Father Marty in July 2008.
Father Sullivan was quickly embraced by the parish after Father Marty's departure. Fr. Tom Conde, the previous pastor, oversaw updates to many parish buildings, leaving a legacy of well-cared-for spaces and new greenery around campus. The current pastor, Fr. Ryan Brady, brings a strong support for the school and a vision for St. Christina to remain a vibrant Catholic community for years to come.
The 1938 Schoolhouse, Still Teaching Today
The need for a school became clear as Mt. Greenwood's population grew. On July 25, 1938, Father Rebedeau signed a fifteen-year lease on the old Central Park School, and the Dominican Sisters were commissioned to teach. Mother Geslaus arrived with her fellow Dominican sisters on August 27, 1938, and when St. Christina Parochial School opened its doors to parish children on September 6, 1938, 173 eager pupils were enrolled. The Central Park buildings were eventually demolished in 1979, and the property was transformed into a useful field for parish functions. Today the school carries the name St. Christina Catholic School, serves the parish and surrounding neighborhood, and is located at 3333 W. 110th Street, with the parish rectory at 11005 S. Homan Avenue.
The school describes itself as a community of faith, achievement, and service, promoting the spiritual, academic, physical, and social development of each child in a safe and positive environment. The building has been modernized with SMART Boards in every classroom, 1:1 technology in K-8, and a FOSS hands-on science program. The school also runs a library, computer, art, and PE program, a junior high Spanish program, and an athletics program for K-8. A counselor and resource person provide additional support to students, and an ASPIRE score sits above the national norm. St. Christina students are known as Cardinals, and the community has long identified with the school's Cardinal Spirit.
Faith in the Weekday: Wednesday Mass and the Prayer Calendar
Faith is woven into the school week, with the community gathering for Mass at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Each grade takes a turn planning the liturgy throughout the year, and individual classes lead select Masses. Throughout the school year, the community also gathers for special 10:30 a.m. Masses, including the Back to School Mass, the Fall Sports Mass, the First Responders Appreciation Mass, and the Rite of Enrollment Mass for 8th Grade Confirmation Candidates. A 9/11 Prayer Service and a Rosary Prayer Service are also part of the rhythm. Family Rosary Across America is held at 7 p.m. on designated evenings to bring the wider school family together in prayer.
St. Christina School operates under the Archdiocese of Chicago and centers its daily life in Catholic teachings and traditions while welcoming students of all faiths. The school's belief is in the infusion of the teachings of Jesus Christ in all curricula, in the vitality and importance of Catholic values, in the fundamental dignity of each person as one of God's children, and in creating an organizational culture that gives voice and witness to social justice while striving for academic excellence. The mission closes with a declaration: "Let it be known that Jesus is the reason for this school, the unseen, but ever-present teacher in all its classes, the model of its faculty and the inspiration for its students."
Cardinals on the Field and in the Community
St. Christina offers an athletics program that runs from kindergarten through 8th grade, with more than 15 athletics teams and extracurriculars. Through participation, students develop self-discipline, leadership, and healthy living habits alongside their competitive play. The school encourages students to get involved in a range of leadership opportunities, including Homebound Friends, Student Council, the Buddy Program, Academic Bowls, Lower Wacker Lunches, the National Leadership Conference, the William Lipinski Essay Writing Contests, the Lion's Club Peace Poster Contest, Miracles Can Happen baseball games, the parish Fish Fry, and the Homebound Meal ministry.
Older students are also expected to give back. The school requires 7th and 8th grade service hours, and every family is asked to complete 10 hours of service during each academic year. All volunteer hours should be completed by the last day of the school year and are submitted through a school-administered system. Volunteers must complete the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior form and CANTS 689 form before serving, and new volunteers create a Virtus account.
Morning Care and the 2:30 Bell
The St. Christina Extended Care Program and Morning Care Program serve families who need before- and after-school care in a Catholic atmosphere. The programs are open to 3- and 4-year-old full-day preschool students and to students through 8th grade who are currently enrolled in the school. Pre-3 and Pre-4 half-day students may attend Morning Care only.
Morning Care operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., and Extended Care runs from 2:30 to 5:45 p.m. on school days. Morning Care is $7.50 per day, per child, and families may provide a light snack or breakfast. The hourly fee for Extended Care is $7.50 per child for the first two children in a family and $6.00 for each additional child. Non-refundable registration fees apply: $30 per family for Morning Care, $60 for one child or $65 for more than one child in Extended Care, and $70 or $75 for both programs depending on the number of children. Children attending Extended Care are dismissed from their classroom directly to the gym, where they report to Extended Care staff.
Two Parent Organizations, One Community
Two parent organizations carry much of the school's community life. The Family School Association develops activities and fundraising events that benefit the school and strengthen community bonds. The FSA is led by Katie Ramsden (President), Sara Folino (Vice President), Jenn Evans (Treasurer), Lauren Stull (Secretary), Katie Darling (Executive Board Assistant), and Lauren Beil (Executive Board Assistant). FSA meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the church basement, and the organization coordinates an impressive calendar of events, including a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, Parking Lot Party, Trivia Night, Mother/Son Thunderbolts Game, the 8th Grade Confirmation Reception, Oktoberfest, Trunk or Treat, Mother/Daughter Event, Father and Son Bowling, Father/Daughter Dance, Vendor Night, Pizza with Santa, St. Patrick's Day Party, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, and the End of Year Celebration.
The School Advisory Committee acts as an advisory board to the principal. Following the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Education guidelines, the SAC develops policies, advises on the annual school budget, represents its constituency, collaborates in the hiring of the principal, and helps implement the school's five-year plan. The current SAC is led by Amy Hamilton (President), Lisa Robin (Vice President), and Dawn O'Brien (Secretary), with members Anne Carmody, Sharon Deenihan, Liz Demarco, John Lee, Michelle Murphy, and Meghan Wolbers. Meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Parish Center, and any parent or guardian may submit a Public Participation Form to ask a question or make a comment during a SAC meeting.
Enrollment and Tuition
Enrollment at St. Christina is open to Catholic and non-Catholic families. The school offers a curriculum designed to address the needs of the whole child, with PreK 3, PreK 4, and K-8 programs. PreK 3 enrollment options include three half days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings), three full days (T, W, Th), five half days (M-F mornings), and five full days (M-F). PreK 4 options include four half days (M-Th mornings), four full days (M-Th), five half days (M-F mornings), and five full days (M-F).
Current families reserve their child(ren)'s spot for the next school year in a Reservation Drive held in December and January at $75 per family. After the drive, the fee increases to $150 per family, and the reservation fee is credited on the August tuition statement. New families are registered on a first-come, first-served basis during the registration week for new families in late January. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on the Sunday of Catholic Schools' Week in January and continues until 12:30 p.m. in the Main Office, with tours available and a 10:30 a.m. Family Mass that new families are welcome to attend. A Birth and Baptismal Certificate is required for all applicants, and proof of sacrament dates is required for students in grades 3-8. A $200 non-refundable registration fee, credited to the following year's tuition, applies to all new families.
Families are asked to register as parishioners prior to school enrollment. Parish registration forms are available through the parish office or by visiting the rectory at 11005 S. Homan. Tuition is managed through Blackbaud Tuition Management, and the school uses PowerSchool for grading. The RaiseRight program lets families earn tuition credit by purchasing gift cards for everyday shopping at participating retailers. Tuition credits are posted to accounts in February and August, and paper order forms are also available at the St. Christina Rectory.
Uniforms are required and may be purchased at Schools R Us at 3146 W. 111th St. PE shirts or 2025 Fun Run shirts are worn on PE days, and school shoes must be black, white, gray, navy, or red. Red Polo Shirts must feature the St. Christina school crest, with the exception of polos worn under jumpers.
A Community That Stays Together
Through the decades, the people of St. Christina have remained a close-knit community, working together for the good of all. Generations of families have grown up here, raised their children in the same neighborhood, and passed on the traditions of faith, service, and camaraderie. For over a century, the heart and soul of St. Christina has survived and thrived. The school community continues to grow, meets challenges with courage, and seeks new possibilities with faith and optimism, anchored in the long line of pastors, the founding work of the Dominican sisters, and the dedication of generations of Mt. Greenwood families.