Over 162 years of providing young men the foundation
for success through Catholic education in the
Marianist Tradition
The school began at a time when San Antonio
lacked a boys' school of any kind. Bishop Jean
-Marie Odin obtained teachers in France from
the Society of Mary. The school opened March
25, 1852, in two rooms over a livery stable
near San Fernando Cathedral.
During that winter, the Brothers
erected a building near the San
Antonio River. 'Saint Mary's Institute'
occupied that campus on March 1,
1853, and ended the school year with
100 pupils of various creeds. After
expanding that building, the Brothers
erected others, including a four-story
'skyscraper' unique for the 1870's. St.
Mary's University was an outgrowth in
1893.
After several changes of names and facilities, in 1932
Central Catholic High School became living legacy of their
pioneer effort.