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1891 - 2011
Faith Academics Service
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| 1st Graduates |
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St. Mary's Catholic School
History
St. Mary's School was established in 1891 by the Benedictine Sisters. On August 27, 1902, four sisters from the School Sisters of Notre Dame filled with enthusiasm and faith arrived in Gainesville to take charge of the school which was then a six-room frame building. On September 8, 1902, st Mary's day School was openend. Thirty-two pupils were enrolled that August which increased to seventy-five by the end of the year. The next school term 120 students enrolled. In 1905 high school subjects were offered for the first time and on June 11, 1906, St. Mary's School had its first graduating seniors. An official high school building opened in 1938. The present St. Mary's Elementary School was erected in 1948 and was the first major structure built in Gainesville after World War II. The high school was disbanded in 1952. The building was completely remodeled and air conditioning installed in 1979.
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The School Sisters of Notre Dame had a tremendous impact on St. Mary's School history. However, due to a decline of sisters available to teach in Catholic schools, they phased out of direct administration and classroom instruction in 1984. When Father Nicholas Fuhrmann, OSB arrived in Gainesville in 1983, he brought a new vision and spirit to St. Mary's School. He directed the addition of a junior high section that was added in 1985. Father Nicholas believed in the value and need of sports in the school cirriculum. He reinstated track in the spring of 1984 and football in the fall of 1989, coaching both teams. In 1991, St. Mary's school celebrated its 100th anniversary. The largest project for the centennial was an all purpose recreational facility for the families and students of St. Mary's. A new gymnasium was opened in September of 1991 in celebration of St. Mary's Centennial. In 2004 a new Early Learning Childhood Center with four classrooms was built onto the current school building.
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| 1895-1899 |
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| 1952 Graduates |
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The school Sisters of Notre Dame laid a resilient and lasting foundation at St. Mary's parish and school for 96 years. Today, the school remains a strong leader in Catholic education. For many families, the fourth and fifth generations are now enrolled at St. Mary's - a testiment to a good school. The values that are instilled at St. Mary's have enriched many lives throughout the years. The staff continues a tradition of working with parents to stress the infinite worth of each individual student.
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