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| History |
St. Gerard Majella was founded by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter on the corner of Dougherty Ferry and Ballas Roads in 1955. Father James Kelly, C.S.S.R., chosen to be the first pastor of St. Gerard Majella Parish, took up residence at St. Joseph’s College, Geyer and Big Bend Roads (now Meramec Community College) and said the first Mass on Sunday, June 19, 1955, in St. Joseph’s Seminary Chapel. The parish roster contained the names of 250 families.
The seminary chapel was the parish church until August 25, 1957. The Redemptorist Fathers of the seminary faculty served as associate pastors.
Groundbreaking for a new parish school, in which the upper floor would serve as a church, took place on April 8, 1956. The first teachers belonged to the religious order Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Original enrollment in the school was 202 pupils in the primary grades only. Grades 5 through 8 were added in 1964.
The parish celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1980. Groundbreaking for a new church began in 1981. With the dedication of the new church in May of 1983, the school was able to use the upper floor of the original building for parish meeting rooms and classrooms. When the sisters withdrew from their mission at St. Gerard in 1986, it marked the first year in the history of the parish to have a total lay staff at the school.
As parish needs and school enrollment continued to grow, a building expansion effort was pursued. A capital campaign was begun to eliminate the parish debt in order to add facilities that would include parish meeting rooms, additional classrooms, and a gymnasium. Ground-breaking for expansion took place in August of 1997 and the facility was opened in the Fall of 1999. Dedication of the building addition took place February 20, 2000.
The former pastors of St. Gerard Majella and the present pastor and associate have nothing but praise for the work of officers, organizations, committees, and parishioners over the 40-plus year history of the parish. The family spirit and strong sense of community have worked to make St. Gerard Majella an outstanding parish and school in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and in west St. Louis County.
If you have a story to tell us about St. Gerard Majella Catholic School, or you want to provide more history for this page, please contact the Principal.
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