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HISTORY SAINT COLS up to 1984 we need input from 84' on ...please send your information by email ...much appreciated..Thanks

HISTORY Saint Columbkille High School Saint Columbkille's High School has served as a beacon of enlightenment for thousands of graduates - and 1984 represents the 50th Anniversary of the first class to graduate from the present high school building. The high school program had its origins in 1912 when a two-year commercial course for girls was instituted.  The Class of 1914 was the first to receive a commercial diploma from the high school. The Sisters of Saint Joseph have taught at Saint Columbkille's School from its beginning and came each day from Mount Saint Joseph's Academy where they resided until the Convent was built in 1923. The early classes were held at the "Columb House", a parish-owed home on Sparhawk Street, which stood at the site of the present convent.  The "Columb" or "Sparhawk" House had previously served as the Parish Health Center with a parish nurse stationed on the top floor. The Health Center was the unique creation of Rev. Joseph V. Tracy, D.D., pastor of Saint Columbkille's, who oversaw the greatest amount of development in the history of the parish. A 1936 article, citing Monsignor Tracy's Golden Jubilee as a priest, recognized his efforts at Saint Columbkille's in constructing the Institute Building (1917 - 1919), the Convent (1923 - 1924), the Columb House (est. 1923) and the new wing of the school building (1932).  Monsignor Tracy later was responsible for the construction of the present Rectory in 1938. The high school curriculum was expanded in 1926 to offer a classical course for the students and this course was later extended through the third year of high school.  If a girl desired a classical diploma, she would then complete her fourth year course at Mount Saint Joseph's Academy and Monsignor Tracy paid half the annual tuition of twenty-five dollars for each student. The present high school building began as an addition to the Saint Columbkille Grammar School in 1931.  The "Saint Columbkille's Parish Journal" of July-August heralded the excavation of grounds adjacent to the main school, to commence construction of an addition which was to serve the high school population. At the time of the completion of the addition in 1932, the high school began to offer a four-year course including classical, scientific, and commercial curricula for girls.  Those who had at that time already completed three years of high school studies, continued it at the new location.