Breese St. Dominic Catholic H.S. "Panthers"

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Breese St. Dominic High School Building
breesestdominicschool3dav.jpg
From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey

Breese St. Dominic High School Complex
breesestdominichighschoolbld2dav.jpg
From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey

The History of Breese St. Dominic Catholic High School
 
Breese (population 4,048) is located in far southwestern Illinois about 30 miles east of East St. Louis.  Breese is located in the west-central portion of Clinton County.  Old U.S. Route 50 passes through the center of town while the New U.S. Route 50 passes through the north side of Breese.  CSX Transportaion Railroad navigates its way through the south side of Breese.
 
The town is named after Sidney Breese, a senator under president Abraham Lincoln. The town of Breese was founded in 1855. To view a more in-depth history of the town and area please check out http://www.breese.org/History.htm
 
Breese St. Dominic Catholic Church traces its roots back to the very early days of the town's existence.  St. Dominic Catholic Church was established in the mid 1800s.  A school for the children of the area was constructed by St. Dominic parish in 1861.  High school courses were likely offered at the school by the late 1800s.  We know that the original school was replaced by a new school building in 1901. 
 
According to an informational sheet on the current Breese Mater Dei High School, Breese St. Dominic High School and Carlyle St. Mary's High School chose to join forces in 1954 (http://www.materdei.breese.il.us/MD%20Letter.pdf). Both high schools closed and opened a new catholic high school for the area named Mater Dei.  Mater Dei High School has continued to offer a catholic education for high school-aged kids of the area ever since this merger occured.
 
St. Dominic Parish continues to provide grade school courses in Breese for children in grades 1 - 8.  The classes may be held in the former St. Dominic High School building.
 
Breese St. Dominic Catholic High School Quick Facts
 
Year opened:                                 1861
Year "new" building built:                1901
Year closed:                                  1954
Consolidated to:                             Mater Dei High School (Breese)
St. Dominic team nickname:           the "Panthers"
Team uniform colors:                      unavailable           
St. Dominic HS school fight song:   unavailable
ATHLETICS
 
The St. Dominic boys definitely competed in basketball. It is likely that baseball and track were offered as well Below are some basketball scores involving St. Dominic's High School participating in the IHSA State tournament.
 
BOYS BASKETBALL
    
1943-44                         Salem Regional Tourney              Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Kinmundy 60-28
                                      Salem beat Patoka in title game
                                   
1944-45                         Sandoval Regional Tourney         Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Sandoval 68-29
                                      Centralia beat Salem in title game
                                         
1945-46                         Beckemeyer District Tourney        Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Trenton 63-18
                                      Carlyle St. Mary beat Beckemeyer in title game
    
1946-47                         Salem Regional Tourney              Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Kinmundy 45-23
                                      Centralia beat Odin in title game
                                                            
1947-48                         Sandoval Regional Tourney         Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Sandoval 73-21
                                      Centralia beat Salem in title game
                                                   
1948-49                         Breese Regional Tourney            Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd Beat Hoyleton 71-19
                                      Semi-Final lost to Breese 49-40
                                      Breese beat Trenton in title game
                         
1949-50                         Breese District Tourney               Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Odin 36-29
                                      Breese beat Odin in title game
                                     
1950-51                         Trenton District Tourney              Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd Beat Hoyleton 51-42
                                      Semi-Final lost - score and opponent needed
                                      New Baden beat Ashley in title game 
                                               
1951-52                         Salem Regional Tourney              Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Odin 55-37
                                      Centralia beat Salem in title game
                                                             
1952-53                         Centralia Regional Tourney         Coach's name & record needed
                                      1st Rd lost to Salem 100-60
                                      Centralia beat Salem in title game
                                           
1953-54                         Salem Regional Tourney              Coach's name & record needed
                                      **1st Rd lost to Salem 81-52
                                      Centralia beat Salem in title game
                                                     
**Final game for St. Dominic High School boys basketball.

ACTIVITIES

Even though it appears that the school may not have had athletic teams that played against other schools, it is probable that the school would have offered activities like any other institution, such as drama, choir, band, dances, GAA (Girls' Athletic Association), and more. We would like to hear from St. Dominic alumnae who may have information of this nature.

Breese St. Dominic HS Graduation Invitation - 1924
breesestdominicclosingexercisescoverdav.jpg
From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey

Seeking Your Assistance
 
If you have ANY further information about Breese St. Dominic High School, please share it with us.  Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can write to us via real mail at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.    60631

Breese St. Dominic HS
breesestdominichsdav.jpg
From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey