The St. Thomas Aquinas Priory at Dominican University that has housed friars since it was built in 1926 will close in June, according to a statement released by the Dominican Provincial Office April 26.
The decision came after a study was commissioned by the provincial chapter of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great in Chicago, the statement said. Friars that live in what is now known as the Priory Campus at Dominican will be reassigned to other houses in the Chicago area and elsewhere.
The province said the decision was part of an assessment of its Chicago area properties. It also recently opened a new house of studies in St. Louis for its priesthood candidates, which are reportedly increasing.
Rev. Charles Bouchard said friars have had a community at the Priory since the building was completed in 1926. It was sold to Dominican 10 years ago.
Dominican spokeswoman Jessica Mackinnon said not many of the friars are associated with the school. One still teaches there, and another is the university’s minister.
The three-floor Priory has 12 bedrooms with individual bathrooms and a common room, said Amy McCormack, the senior vice president of administration.
She said it’s “really designed for residential space,” and will probably be used to house students after assessments are made.
“They’ve lived there for a long time, so we’ll probably need to do some cosmetic upgrades,” McCormack said, including painting, carpeting and evaluating the bathrooms.
She added the school is sad to see the friars go.
“We have enjoyed the university’s hospitality and we will continue to collaborate with the university in a number of ways,” Bouchard said in the statement. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The closing will not affect the Province’s commitment to Fenwick High School or St. Vincent Ferrer Parish.
The friars will hold a farewell Mass at the Priory at 9 a.m. June 10.