CAPE CATHOLIC HIGH OPENS DOORS IN 1954

Catholic education blossomed in Cape Girardeau with the opening of the area's first free-standing Catholic High School in 1954.

In fact, the history of Catholic education dates back some 50 years. In 1925, St. Mary's High School was founded by the Rev. Eberhardt Pruente, then pastor of St. Mary's Church. The school began operations with the purchase of the old St. Francis hospital at Sprigg and William streets. The school occupied the south wing of the hospital, and included four classrooms, an assembly room, a library, gymnasium, music room, and a laboratory for general science and chemistry.

The school opened in September of 1925 with one teacher and 14 students; only freshman courses were taught. In June 1929, commencement exercises were held for the first graduates -- six girls and two boys.

By 1950, there was enough demand that school and church officials began developing a plan to build a free-standing high school.

The idea was well-accepted by Cape Girardeau parishioners, who wanted a larger building so that students could have access to an expanded high school curriculum.

A 15-acre site north of Broadway on Caruthers street was purchased from the Wulfers family, and work began in earnest to finance construction of a new facility.

A.W. Zimmer Jr. was appointed chairman of a $250,000 fund drive for the new building. The campaign began in spring 1953, and 400 men from St. Vincent's and St. Mary's parishes pledged some $308,000 to be collected over two years.

Funds raised by the parishes were supplemented by $250,000 from Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter. The final costs of the building totaled approximately $750,000.

On June 21, 1953, ground-breaking ceremonies were held for the Cape Girardeau Catholic High School. The Rev. John B. Cody, auxiliary bishop of St. Louis, officiated at the program. Five months later, the cornerstone of the new school was blessed by the Rev. Charles H. Helmsing, auxiliary bishop of St. Louis.

The school was scheduled to open Sept. 6, 1954. However, unfinished construction caused the opening to be delayed a week. On Sept. 13, Catholic High School opened with an enrollment of 211 students.

The school enrolled students from Cape Girardeau parishes, as well as others from Kelso, Fornfelt, Chaffee, Jackson, Oran and Illmo. Students from Illmo and Kelso were provided bus service by their communities, but most other students lived in Cape Girardeau during the school year.

The school was successful in its first year, and a faculty house was built on the site in 1955 at a cost of about $60,000.

The name of the school was changed to Notre Dame High School in October 1960.

Thirty-nine years later the name was changed again to coincide with the opening of a larger facility west of Cape Girardeau. The new name indicated the school's broad enrollment area: Notre Dame Regional High School.