Personal experiences with Our Lady of the Angels School Fire on December 1, 1958

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Personal Experiences with Our Lady of the Angels School Fire

If you have a personal experience, recollection or opinion about the December 1, 1958 Our Lady of the Angels school fire, whether you were present at the fire or not, you can relate it here. Any story or information is welcome as long as it relates to Our Lady of the Angels school fire.

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Posted by:

David

On:

10/24/2008

ID:

385

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Malden, Massachusetts

I have been a guest on this site -- visiting almost daily at some points -- since April or May 2008 and had begun to wonder why I kept coming back to the site over and over again.

The story of OLA first became known to me a number of years ago when I read about the fire in one of my uncle's firefighting magazines (he was a career firefighter). Through the years since, I kept "stumbling across" the OLA story off and on -- e.g., Readers' Digest at the doctor's office, YouTube, etc. I have read the books, watched the videos, and even downloaded the YouTube "tributes." But, I didn't quite get why I was coming back so often until reading John Kuenster's "Remembrances of Angels" the other night.

A number of those whose stories are told there spoke of the telling of the story being like "therapy." Based on my work as a bereavement counselor, my sense of therapy is that there are two parts -- the telling of the story and having the story heard.My sense of being present with you all is as one who comes to listen to your story ... and as one who listens so as to truly hear your story.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who died, those who survived, those who still suffer, and all who love them ...

May God bless you and keep you in peace,

(Rev.) David Dismas
Hospice Bereavement Associate
Chelsea, Massachusetts

Posted by:

Ann

On:

10/12/2008

ID:

384

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Minnesota

I have been following the OLA website for four or five years, not because I was a student at the school, but because the tragedy has been such a compelling point in my memory.

I was born and raised in Minnesota, and moved to Colorado following my marriage. One day in the late 1970's my husband and I were sitting on the front porch of our neighbors' house, just talking and the conversation got around to the topic of our families. My neighbor, Steve Biscan, mentioned that he had lost a younger brother, named David, in a fire at his school in the 1950's. Steve remembered his parents going from hospital to hospital that evening looking for David, without success.

Without hesitating, I asked him if it was the Our Lady of the Angels School fire on December 1, 1958. I'm sure the look of shock on my face matched the look of shock on my neighbor's face. I have never been to Chicago, or Illinois for that matter, and had no idea of where the memory of the fire, especially the school name and exact date, came from.

Later I had a flash of memory of seeing the front page of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune newspaper sitting on the breakfast table the morning of Tuesday, December 2, 1958, with a picture of the school building on fire. I was 8 years old at the time and the building looked exactly like the one I had attended the year before. It terrified me, and apparently emblazoned an image in my brain.

During the ensuing years after the conversation with my neighbor, I have read both "The Fire That Will Not Die" as well as "To Sleep With the Angels" and eventually discovered the web site.

As the 50th anniversary of the tragedy approaches, I hope everyone will stop and say a prayer for those people that were involved in the fire. I know I will, with a special prayer for David Biscan, a little boy I never knew but somehow feel a strong connection to.

Posted by:

Burt from Long Beach, CA

On:

10/10/2008

ID:

383

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	After	n/a

I actually wasn't born until almost five months after this tragedy; my only connection, very remote at that, was with a classmate in elementary school whose older brother was an acquaintance of a boy who perished in that tragic event. My classmate's family moved from Chicago in 1964, and I have only a sketchy recollection of this event from what was relayed by his brother after we experienced a much more minor fire that occurred at our local school, back in 1969. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in that incident.I hadn't really given it any thought at all since that time, I recently inadvertently ran across an article on Google about an upcoming memorial in recognition of the 50th anniversary of this horrific event. For all the distance the modern technological age puts between mankind, there's something to be said for the wonders of the internet, and it may very well be through this same medium that we can recollect our past, and connect once with those we thought were forever forgotten to us.As I never knew any of the victims, either deceased or still alive, I think we must be ever mindful that their sacrifice wasn't in vain; the fire drills and evacuations that were part-and-parcel of our school experiences, indifferent and disdainful of them that we may have been at the time, were, in fact, the outcome of this tragedy, and it may be that many thousands of lives were saved, due to changes in the building code and the mandating of period fire drills. I know that every time I look back on my school experience, I'll reflect a moment of silence in honor of the 89 children and three nuns, whose lives were so prematurely ended on that dreadful day. As ungrateful of the mercy and goodness of our Lord that I've all too often been guilty of during my almost 50 years, I know I owe a debt of gratitude for having been given the gift of life, and the opportunities to give back for all that I've been given; an opportunity that was denied to 92 individuals undoubtedly more worthy than I.I ask of those who may have occasion to read this post, or visit this website, to consider requesting that a Mass be said for these 92 victims, as a 50th anniversary, on or about November 30th of this year, at your local parish, wherever that may be. I believe we owe to their memory, to never forget the victims of one of the worst school fires in U.S. history, and to never take for granted our own leases on life."Ave Maria, Gratia Plena . . ."Ad Majorem Gloria Dei!

Posted by:

On:

10/4/2008

ID:

382

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Cincinnati, Ohio

I have always had, what I thought to be, a very good memory. And although I was only three years old at the time of the fire, I recall bits and pieces of my mom: sitting in front of our old Crosley television, and she was crying as the news unfolded. As I have said, I only remember bits and pieces of that day, but I did not realize that I would remember so much until so many years later...I went on to become an elementary teacher in Ohio at the age of 45. My second job was in a rural school near Columbus. When I got my first 'real' classroom in this district, I had a curtain of dread and maybe even gloom hanging over me. I did not realize what that was because I was a very happy older teacher. But my classroom was on the third floor of an older brick building, and I was always cognizant of what I would do if there were a fire. I even recall that first year telling my students that no matter what would happen, if there were a fire, I would save them- by hook or by crook. I even had the plan worked out in my head. That year- three years ago- I began thinking deeply about my mom sitting in front of that TV back in 1958 and I recalled her telling me that a nun rolled kids down a stairwell like logs- that is exactly what I told my students that I would do to them if I had to- that I would get them out.Outside of my door [then] there was a cockloft. It suddenly dawned on me one day, as I stood staring at the cockloft- that I was remembering things. I remember breaking out in a cold sweat. I told my husband- a retired police officer- about what I felt looking at the ceiling outside my room- and then it hit me: I had remembered the OLA fire. Somewhere deep inside, distant? yes! but I did recall it. And I died a little more inside, remembering all of you who went through it. I am so sorry, but do know that in my head, I have my plan all made out if I have to survive a fire. I have pushed for and I have received aluminum excape ladders for my school 'in the event'...I think of each and every one of you every day now since the light came back on in my mind, recalling the events of that day. Your names are etched forever in my heart, and there is not one single day that goes by that I do not pray for and think of you who have survived- and say a silent prayer for those of you who did not. God bless you and keep you- may His face shine upon you and comfort you in all these times when you are forced to remember. More of us pray for you than you would ever know. Love you!

Posted by:

Larry

On:

9/17/2008

ID:

381

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Chicago Ave. & Pulaski

This is a very moving website, although extremely sad to read through.Nevertheless, I was only 3 years old at that time, and have heard all through my life growing up,what happened on that terrible day.
You see, both of my sisters attended OLA on that day, and luckily, they both survived the fire.My older sister was 10 years old, in the 5th grade. As I understand it from my parents and my sister's recollection, through the assistance of Father Ognibene, the children in my sister's 5th grade class were helped out of their classroom and lead down the fire escape to safety.My other sister attended the separate building for 1st graders and kindergarden, and she also was unharmed.They were both able to walk home, we lived very close by, after all. HOwever, my older sister was helped by a kind woman who offered her a blue sweater, as she was walking home.This tragic event has been a "constant" source of sad memories in our family for all of these years, especially so, it seems for my mother.We did, like so many others, move out of the neighborhoold less than a year later. It always truly amazed me how this event literally broke up that entire close-knit neighborhood-which is another very sad aspect to the story.

Posted by:

Walt

On:

9/16/2008

ID:

380

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Philadelphia

Recently I came across this site as I was doing some research on my computer. Something made me open it up and then I suddenly remembered the night this fire was broadcasted over the national news in Philadelphia. I was six years old when this fire broke out. I can remember sitting in a chair watching children leaving the school in uniforms similar to the ones that we wore at Sacred Heart. I can also recall seeing clips of hospital wards filled with children in beds.

We were taught by the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and how they enforced the importance of fire safety and the need to be quick and orderly when the fire alarm bell rang. I can still remember my first grade nun Sister Loretta William having us pray for all the the innocent children who lost their lives in this school fire. I can remember her trying to explain to a room of 60 first graders what happen to these children and at the same time not try to scare us. I remember how she practiced with us on how to leave the school during a fire drill. We needed to stand up and beginning with the first row we would quickly leave the room one row at a time in single file so we would not clog up the stairwell.

As I am writing this I can't help but think of how much she cared for each of us and valuable lessons she taught each of us. God Bless you Sister you were a saint than and must be a saint today. I can remember standing outside in the cold with no coat on waiting for the clearance to return. I remember times when the firemen would come and pull practice drills to make certain that we were able to evacuate the building in the shortest amount of time. Many times I remember the principal coming over the intercom telling us that we needed to be quicker.

As I visited this site I can't help but think of how scared and terrified those children and nuns must have been. I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts of being trapped in a blazing inferno like the one at OLA. Today I know that all of the victims are safe and sound in the home of our Dear Lord. May God bless the victims, survivors and family members who to this day live with the memories and loss of their love ones and friends.

Thank you for putting this sight together it's a good reminder that we need to live each day to the fullest.

Posted by:

Mary Margaret

On:

9/15/2008

ID:

379

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Mt. Prospect, IL

Someone just called in to WGN Radio regarding a discussion on things that molded your life as a 10 year old. A lady called in and started talking about the Our Lady of Angels fire. It took me back to it as if it had just occurred. I was 9 at the time and I became obsessed with the story and seeing the pictures and reading the accounts and listening to the news. I recall being aware that it could have been my school, not realizing that Saint Raymond in Mt. Prospect was a much newer school than Our Lady of the Angels was. It was so frightening for a child to try to absorb this type of tragedy. I stopped to say another prayer after this came up again. There are so many tragedies all over the world on a more routine basis than I ever recall before in my life, that it makes you care more about other people and what there are going through. You must always realize that it could be your tragedy next. And it's good to sit your kids down and explain what's happening to alleviate their fears, but help them gain a sensitivity to others' needs.

Posted by:

Mary Ellen (Bak) Gabler

On:

9/12/2008

ID:

378

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	4620 W. Superior St., Chicago

A few weeks ago, I discovered this website, and I have been consumed with the events surrounding the fire. I was a 9y/o 4th. grader at Our Lady Help of Christians school on the day of the fire. After school that day, my dad drove my younger brother and I to the fire to see what was going on. When I see the pictures of bystanders outside of the burning school, it's like I'm there again. But this time, I'm looking at it as an adult, and the devastation is almost too much to comprehend. I didn't know that I was affected by just being there. I remember people, smoke, fire engines, and a young girl about my age in her school uniform without a coat, running with a small boy holding her hand, and I thought, "She's my age and has a little brother, too". I wonder now why I didn't think to give her my coat. I knew that a school burning down was an awful thing, but I don't know if I realized that kids were dying in there. After the fire, some of the survivors shared my school. HOC kids went half days, and OLA kids went half days. There was a boy that shared my desk. I don't remember his name, but I remember wanting to meet him and and to know what had happened. But, like I'm reading everywhere, we really didn't talk about it. I went to High School at Siena, and there were OLA kids in my class, but again, we didn't talk about it. I didn't even know some of my classmates were survivors until I recently read the list. I am grateful for all of the information on the website, so I am able to process the experience as an adult, to know the pain and the courage of those directly involved, and to find some sense of understanding. I just finished reading "To Sleep With the Angels". This book put things in order for me and has given me a sense of ambiguous resolution, despite many conflicted feelings. My reflections are small compared to others, but I wanted to share what empathy I have. Thank you.

Posted by:

shepsmom

On:

9/1/2008

ID:

377

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	waukegan, IL

I just finished reading To Sleep With the Angels - how very sad!
I was only an infant at the time; my dad was stationed in the army in Waukegan during 1957-58. We lived in Massachsetts after that. Years later at a church function, a visiting priest, when introduced to my parents, immediately asked if we were related to Joe Cussen, the parish priest of OLA. I wonder if anyone has more background info on Msrg. Cussen? The book's epilogue mentions a brother and sister, who he lived with when he passed away. Additionally, what prompted me to locate the account of the fire is that my mom heard a news report about Barack Obama attending some interfaith event in the Chicago area and it mentioned a "Msrg. Cussen" ... is there possibly another one? Thank you for any information shared and to the survivors, my thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Posted by:

MaryClaire

On:

8/15/2008

ID:

376

At OLA on 12/1/58?	Born before or after 12/1/58?	Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No	Before	Baltimore

I was in the first grade at Catholic school in Baltimore that looked so much like OLA it's eerie. The interior, the wooden staricases, the basement and hallways, all the same. Even the little corner store at the corner to the left of the school, where you stopped to buy penny candy, the rectory, the convent...all the same.
All through grade school an awareness of a terrible Catholic school tragedy hung over us, though I don't remember knowing the name of the school, or exactly what happened just that it was in midwest of America somewhere and its fate was somehow connected with very serious and frequent firedrills in my neck of the woods.
I am not usually emotional over public events involving people I don't know, but somehow this site hit me in the solar plexus and I connected immediately. Anyone who was in Catholic school at the time cannot help seeing themselves and their friends in these class pictures.
Those who perished faced something few people ever have to go through, as did the survivors, who must feel very alone with their memories at times, a pain uncommunicable. The adults at the time of the fire must have felt that way and that's why there was little discussion. What's to discuss? What's the use? Sometimes when you are deeply in pain, no sound comes out.
But I am so glad the OLAngels survivors have started this web site. The tributes are so beautiful and what happened is well described. The personal accounts are priceless. I have been introduced to a whole community I'd not known. Thank you and my prayers for all of you. Anyone who suffered through that is closer to the angels.

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