EARLY HISTORY OF SAINT COLUMBKILLE
Prior to 1870 Brighton’s Catholics were members of St. Mary of the Assumption in Brookline
1870 St. Columbkille Church opened on Bennett Street
1880 Newly constructed St. Columbkille Church opened on Market Street
1901 St. Columbkille Elementary School opened (1st - 8th grade)
1914 Two-year girls-only high school commercial course diploma program started
1923 Convent was built for the Sisters of St. Joseph on Market Street
1925 Commercial courses for girls taught at the Sparhawk House next to the convent, formerly the health center
1927 Added a third year to two-year girls’ program. Girls could then attend Mt. St. Joseph for a final year and earn a high school diploma
1932 New high school building completed and the first co-ed high school class began their freshman year
1934 & 1935 First graduating classes from the new high school (all girls)
1936 First co-ed class graduated from the high school
1953 Two-story Parish Institute Hall located on Market and Arlington Streets was converted into 6 classrooms
1955 Third floor added with 9 classrooms and named St. Columbkille Junior High School
Compiled by James Downey, class of 1962