Buena Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings

Barry Byrne, architect; 1922; 1955 and 1956

— Chicago Landmark —

Immaculata High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

1. Immaculata High School Marker

Inscription. Barry Byrne began his architectural career with Frank Lloyd Wright. Using Wright's teachings as the basis for developing a personal style, Byrne set new precedents in modern ecclesiastical architecture, creating original expressions in a genre usually associated with historic forms and long-established traditions.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on July 27, 1983 by the City Council of Chicago.
Harold Washington, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 41° 57.294′ N, 87° 38.781′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Buena Park. It is on Irving Park Road (Illinois Route 19) 0.1 miles west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 640 West Irving Park Road, Chicago IL 60613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pattington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Waveland Clock Tower

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Oscar Wilde (approx. 0.4 miles away); Audre Lorde (approx. 0.4 miles away); James Baldwin (approx. 0.4 miles away); Josephine Baker (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kwanusila (approx. half a mile away); Dra. Antonia Pantoja (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings. Immaculata High School, an all-girls Catholic school, closed in 1981. American Islamic College has occupied the building for the last 40 years or so. According to 2022 news reports, Chicago's City Council approved plans to convert the old school building into apartments, with a high-rise building for seniors to be built behind it, and the Islamic college to seek a new home.

Also see . . .
1. The History of Immaculata High School. (Submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Immaculata High School (Chicago). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. Prairie Styles website: Barry Byrne.

Excerpt: "Francis Barry
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

2. Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings Marker
Byrne was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 19, 1883, the son of a blacksmith. At age 14, to help support his family after his father’s death, he left school and began working in the mail room of Montgomery Ward in Chicago. In 1902, after being impressed by a display of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright at the Chicago Architectural Club, Bryne left his job to become an apprentice in the Oak Park studio of Wright. Having no formal architectural training, he was relegated to working under Wright assistants William Drummond and Walter Burley Griffin. His training continued until 1907, when he was then considered a member of the studio. While at the studio he helped execute drawings for the Tomek, Beachey and Coonley houses and also for Unity Temple."

(Submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

4. Former Immaculata High School And American Islamic Campus To Be Turned Into Apartments. A 2022 article from Block Club Chicago.

Excerpt: "Opened in 1921, Immaculata High School was an all-girls Catholic institution. It was designed by Barry Byrne, who worked under Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1983, the school complex received Chicago Landmark status. The high school shuttered in 1981, with the American Islamic College moving into the campus two years later."

(Submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

3. Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings Marker

Immaculata High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

4. Immaculata High School

A statue of Mary used to be above the entrance; it was removed after Immaculata closed in 1981.

Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress), circa 1964

5. Immaculata High School and Convent Buildings

The statue of Mary above the entrance that can be seen in this photo (likely from the 1960s) was by sculptor Alfonso Iannelli, who frequently collaborated with the building's architect, Barry Byrne. The statue was removed sometime after the school closed in 1981.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.