DHS History
Dominican presence in Wisconsin came through Italian native Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P. (1809-1864), who preached and established faith communities throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. An accomplished scientist and architect, Fr. Mazzuchelli earned the respect of fellow Catholics and Protestants as well as Native Americans and settlers, for his preaching and openness to others. One of the new faith communities, the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary, would eventually serve as the foundation for Dominican High School.In the 2011-2012 school year, we celebrate 165 years since the founding of our sponsoring Catholic religious order of sisters in 1847 by the Venerable Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P. The Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation was the first religious congregation incorporated in the new state of Wisconsin in 1848. Today, the Sisters sponsor eleven institutions, including Dominican High School. Through sponsorship, the Sinsinawa Dominican women carry out their ministry of preaching and teaching in order to participate in the building of a holy and just society.
In September of 1956, Dominican High School opened its doors to 174 freshman students from 26 surrounding parishes. Although sponsored by the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Dominican High School would never came into fruition without the thoughtful foresight of two visionary pastors, Rev. Peter E. Dietz, Pastor of St. Monica Parish (1912-1947) and Monsignor Farrell P. Reilly, Pastor of St. Robert Parish (1912-1958). Both priests envisioned and championed the formation of a Catholic High School in the North Shore suburbs. St. Monica Parish donated the land for Dominican High School and St. Robert Parish contributed over half a million dollars of seed monies for its construction.
