A small group of Mercy Sisters arrived in Chicago in 1846 , led by Frances Warde , Catherine McAuley 's closest friend . Within weeks , they opened a " select school " that became St. Francis Xavier Academy for Females , the first school chartered in the city of Chicago . The course of study covered primary , secondary and collegiate levels . The first building was located on Wabash Avenue between Madison and Monroe Streets . In 1871 , the Chicago Fire destroyed the original building . St. Francis Academy relocated to 29th and Wabash for a short time , then to a larger location at 49th and Cottage Grove in 1900
Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School