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[http://www.pensacolachs.org]Pensacola Catholic High School is operated under the auspices of the Diocese of Pensacola- Tallahassee--a diocese that stretches across North Florida's panhandle from the Alabama line on the west, through Tallahassee to the east. It is, and has always been, a co-educational institution. Through its sixty-five year presence Catholic High has served as the center of education for more than 7,300 young men and women who have become productive citizens in this and other communities. Pensacola has a rich history and long association with the Catholic Church and with Catholic education. The first Catholic school to last for any duration in the area was opened in June 1840 by the Ladies of the Retreat. The next known one was St. Michael's Academy, with a first mention in 1862. Then in the 1870's, there was frequent reporting of St. Michael Parish School, operated by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. By 1875, the Sisters of St. Dominic operated two schools in Pensacola and the Sisters of St. Joseph conducted one in Warrington. In the Fall of 1877, the Sisters of Mercy arrived to take over the educational system of what was then known as the Catholic Congregation of Pensacola, or St. Michael Parish. Their arrival marked the beginning of continuous Catholic education of children at the primary level in Pensacola from that time to the present. Exactly when that educational system extended to the secondary level has not been clearly documented, but is believed to have been around the turn of the century. When the Sisters of Mercy first arrived, their convent and school were located on Palafox Street about a block and a half south of the location of the present St. Michael Church. In 1909, a new three-story brick building opened at the corner of Chase and Baylen Streets in the center of town. It was this building that would house St. Michael School, one of three predecessors of what is now Catholic High School. Although records regarding the actual beginnings are scarce, there are handwritten ledgers indicating that there were graduates of Catholic secondary education in Pensacola in 1902. Additional records show that a Catholic high school in Pensacola was accredited by the Florida Committee of Secondary Schools of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as early as 1928. In 1938 St. Stephen School, operated on Garden Street by the Benedictine Sisters, extended its elementary school by adding ninth and tenth grades. Before a junior class was readied, Diocesan plans for a central high school were finalized. The Elk's Club Building on the comer of Garden and Baylen Streets was revitalized to house all Catholic secondary students in Pensacola in one location. Along with the all-important accreditation, scientific, library, classroom and office equipment were transferred from the former St. Michael High School. On Sept. 14, 1941, the day before the 180 students reported to school, Bishop Thomas J. Toolen dedicated the building. At the dedication, the Very Rev. William J. Cusick in the opening address, spoke of the importance of Catholic education and noted that this centralized high school represented months of planning by the local pastors. If one person is to be credited with the fulfillment of that dream, however, it was Bishop Toolen who had vowed to have every Catholic child in a Catholic school in the Diocese of Mobile. Toward that end, Msgr. Leo M. Byrnes, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese since 1939, said that establishing a centralized Catholic high school in Pensacola was one of his first priorities: "Centrally located within the reach of all bus lines, this school offers an opportunity to every Catholic High School student," stated an early commentary. "The building is modern, up-to-date, imposing in appearance and perfectly planned to meet the requirements of every student. Courses are offered in the scientific, general, commercial and liberal arts fields."
The first faculty included priests, sisters from two different congregations, and lay men and women. Sr. Mary Consuella, RSM, served as principal pro-tem. In 1942, Fr. Frederick O. Hughes became the first priest in a number of years to head a school in the Diocese. He was succeeded in 1947 by Fr. J. Edwin Stuardi, a faculty member when the school opened, who would serve as principal until 1953 and later become Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese. He was succeeded by Fr. William Houck who came to CHS soon after his ordination in 1951 and who would later become auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Jackson in Mississippi. From the school's beginnings, there was growth: in spirituality, in academics, in athletic programs, in social activities, in enrollment, and in facility enhancements. In the Fall of 1952 a building was constructed to house home economics instruction. However, by the 1957-58 school year, enrollment had grown to over 500, and it was necessary to once again utilize space on the fourth floor at St. Michael's School across the street to accommodate the increased numbers of students. Having reached its capacity and with no further room to expand, the school began to look toward relocation of its campus. The Diocese of Mobile had received the gift of a large tract of land bordered by West Scott and "W" Streets in 1916. The Diocese decided that this tract, still undeveloped in 1958, provided the much-needed room for expansion and began the construction of the new campus for CHS at this site in January of 1957. The structure, designed and built with an eye to future expansion, was completed for the opening of the 1958-59 school year, opening its doors to 485 students.
