Assumption School Building

Address: 319 W. Erie Street Year Built: 1899 Architect: Frederick R. Foltz Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: July 9, 2003

Assumption School was built in 1899 by Assumption Church and was an important educational institution in Chicago's earliest Italian immigrant community on the Near North Side. The school was founded by Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917), a nationally significant figure in the history of education, health care and social welfare and the first American to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. The school is the most intact building associated with her numerous charitable undertakings in the city. Designed in the Beaux Arts style by architect Frederick Foltz (1843-1916), the school is a distinctive example of a late-nineteenth century urban school building. The Assumption School Building is distinguished by its fine brick- and stonework, exuberant classically-inspired ornament and ornate copper cornice.