The Benedictine Medal













The first Benedictine nuns to arrive in America came from Eichstatt, Germany in 1852. They settled in St. Marys, Pennsylvania and then, in 1856, extended their community to Erie, Pennsylvania.

In 1861, at the request of Abbot Boniface Wimmer, three of the nuns came to Chicago to teach German-speaking children. They established St. Joseph's Convent and School, originally at Chicago and Wabash Avenues in the City. In 1872, after the great Chicago fire of the previous year, their new school, Sts. Benedict and Scholastica Academy, was chartered by the State of Illinois.

 Students of Sts. Benedict and Scholastica Academy in 1895

Later, in metropolitan Chicago, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago played integral roles in the parishes and schools of St. George, St. John Nepomucene, St. Joseph, St. Symphorosa, Queen of All Saints and St. Hilary, all in Chicago proper, as well as St. Lambert in Skokie, IL and Mother of God in Waukegan, IL.


The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago also established mission schools in Colorado in Breckenridge, Cañon City, Delta, Pueblo, and Salida. In September 1890, Mount St. Scholastica Academy, Cañon City was opened. It served as a boarding and day school for young women both from the local, as well as international, community. After 111 years, the campus was closed on August 31, 2001.

St. Scholastica Academy, Canon City, CO, 1890
St. Scholastica Monastery and Academy

In 1906, work began on our current monastery and school on North Ridge Boulevard in Chicago. St. Scholastica Academy opened in September, 1907. In 1924, a new section was added to the original building and in 1958 a large fine arts building was dedicated. Today, St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago is a college preparatory school for young women and offers the International Baccalaureate Program.

Our present monastery was built in 1906. In 1924, a new section was added that includes St. Scholastica chapel. In 1980, an infirmary for the care of the elderly Sisters was built at the north end of the monastery.

St. Joseph Court Infirmary

Today, in addition to ministries in education, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago also work with the elderly and in ministries relating to physical or mental health. Some of our Sisters are counselors, spiritual directors or make visits to those in prison. Some are writers or computer or management consultants.

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