History
In 1922, George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, granted to the Dominican Order a unique privilege by giving it permission to establish a parish to serve an area comprising north River Forest and south Elmwood Park. This was unique in that the property to be acquired would be owned outright by the Dominican Order rather than by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Thus, the order would have the complete responsibility for financing, developing, and maintaining the proposed parish. In 1923 Reverend John Dooley, O.P. was appointed pastor. For approximately $33,000 Father Dooley purchased the full square block which encompasses the present church, school, former convent, and rectory.The parish was named in honor of St. Vincent Ferrer, the Dominican known as the