Divine Word International and the East Wing Chapel
Stephen J. Schnurr

[Excerpt from a description prepared for the 2012 OHS Atlas]

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, located on the campus of Divine Word International, commonly 
referred to as “Techny,” is the fourth chapel dedicated under this name to be located on this site. 
In November 1899, five members of the Divine Word Missionaries took possession of the Russell farm 
located near Shermerville (now known as Northbrook). A small chapel with a small belfry was hastily built. 

In February of the following year, construction on the present North wing began. The cornerstone 
was laid on July 8 for the building then known as Saint Mary’s Mission House. On December 15, a 
second, small chapel was dedicated. This chapel also served the local Catholic community, an 
effort that led to the establishment of Saint Norbert’s Catholic Church in 1917. 

The opening of Saint Joseph’s Technical School (hence the nickname, Techny) and the Holy Spirit 
Missionary Sisters on adjoining properties in 1901 provided for an ever growing community in an 
area that was otherwise farmland. 

By 1904, the Divine Word Missionaries constructed the east wing (since demolished), which
 housed a chapel seating 250, and was in use by All Saints’ Day, November 1. The chapel of the east 
wing housed a 1911 organ, Opus 38, built by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland Illinois.