In the 1920’s, Rev. John B. Foley, pastor of St. Patrick Church of Wadsworth, Illinois, initiated efforts to organize a parish in Grayslake. A small parcel of land was purchased and plans were made to build a chapel. Before plans could be completed, Father Foley died on October 9, 1927.
In June 1930, in the midst of the Depression, George Cardinal Mundelein appointed Rev. Joseph F. Barrett as pastor of the newly formed parish of St. Gilbert in Grayslake, Illinois. With the encouragement of many Grayslake businessmen, the 40 families of St. Gilbert parish were able to finance the construction of a brick church and rectory on Belvidere Road. Cardinal Mundelein dedicated the new church on July 24, 1932. Two summer residents of St. Gilbert parish, Captain McCormick and Sergeant John Lee of the Chicago Police Department promoted fund raising events with the help of other parishioners. By 1935, St. Gilbert parish numbered 77 families.
According to reports, men and women from St. Gilbert parish in Grayslake spent three hours every night (after working a full day in factories, on farms, and in offices), constructing a school and convent. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary taught 120 children. The school, which was remodeled from the old church structure, accommodated children attending grade school. A smaller building, complete wit child-size furniture, electric trains, dolls, tin soldiers and games, served as a kindergarten. Samuel Cardinal Stritch dedicated St. Gilbert School on November 6, 1949. In 1954, 492 students were enrolled in the parish school.
In July 1955, Prince of Peace in Lake Villa, organized from territory that had belonged to St. Gilbert.
In 1961 the convent was completed. Four years later, the new Church was also completed with the first mass celebrated on Christmas Eve. The convent was renovated into the Junior High building and opened in 1996. As enrollment has continued to increase, the school has continued to expand. A wing connecting the Junior High Building to the elementary building was constructed and opened for the start of the 2001-2002 school year. By fall of 2003 there was 3 classrooms for each of the grades Kindergarten through 8th.
