St. Lawrence Catholic School

St. Lawrence Catholic Parish began as a mission on May 5, 1958. The same year, Father Higgins and the dedicated people of the parish broke ground for the first phase of St. Lawrence Catholic School. The school building was completed in October of 1961. St. Lawrence Catholic School opened with an enrollment of 162 students and a faculty of dedicated lay teachers. Benedictine sisters from St. Leo Priory taught Religion.

In 1965, the Sisters of St. Clare from Newry, Ireland arrived to administer and help staff the school and remained with the school until 1986. In 1967, a second story was added to the school building.

In order to provide for pre-school development of the children of the parish, an Early Childhood class for 4-year olds began in August 1989. An Early Childhood class for 3-year olds was added during the 1991-92 school year. In 1997, Bishop Robert Lynch dedicated the Early Childhood Center, named in honor of the parish administrator, Polly Murray. At the present time, there are two 3-year-old classes and two 4-year-old classes.

For many years, the school social hall served the parish as a place of worship for Sunday Masses. After waiting twenty-two years, a dream was fulfilled when, on April 5, 1981, the present church was dedicated.

In 1994, a parish center was built to meet the growing needs of the parish. This center, dedicated on January 16, 1994, was named Higgins Hall in honor of Monsignor Laurence E. Higgins on the fortieth anniversary of his ordination.

A new athletic field was completed in the spring of 1997 for soccer, softball, and track and field events. In 1998, an indoor/outdoor gym was constructed. It was enclosed in 1999, and a tennis court was also added to the facility. The Extended Day Program also uses the gym in the after school hours. Parish basketball teams use the gym for evening games and Sunday afternoon intramural leagues. A new library/media center was added in 2007.

In 2007, with the retirement of Msgr. Higgins, St. Lawrence welcomed Fr. Thomas Morgan as the second Pastor of the parish.

There are thirty full-time faculty members and five part-time instructors. Additionally, thirty-eight staff members and assistants work with our students and their families. In addition to the core curriculum, classes are offered in art, music, Spanish, technology, and guidance.

With the support of parishioners, parents, and community, St. Lawrence Catholic School will continue its long tradition of providing a Catholic, Christ-centered education, which develops the spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and creative qualities of faith-filled citizens.

A.M.D.G.

“Ad majoram Dei gloriam”

“For the greater glory of God”