St. Mary's Academy history

When the Colorado Territory was formed in 1861, a key necessity was missing in Denver: a stable educational experience for the children of families new to the frontier.

March 1864 – Father (later Bishop) Joseph P. Machebeuf purchased the George W. Clayton residence at the corner of 14th & California for $4,000.

The retaining wall, built in 1865 from the ballast of English sailing ships, still remains.

In 1867, the first two graduates received their diplomas.

Future SNJM foundations result from this first trip, including California (1868) and Key West (1868).

In 1871, the first school proved too small, thus a new school was built on Third and Lincoln.

St Mary’s Academy conferred the first diploma in the Colorado Territory to Jessie Forshee in 1875, a year before statehood.

1888: Sisters open school in Spokane.

When the population of Los Angeles was about fifty thousand, Saint Mary’s enrolled fifty pupils in a parish school on Twenty-First Street near Grand Avenue and on June 28, 1892, the first commencement was held with two graduates.

In 1904, the second site of Saint Mary’s was purchased at Slauson Avenue and what is now Crenshaw Boulevard.

1911: Dedication of Convent of the Holy Names.

1912: Normal school opens at Marylhurst.

1913: Marylhurst (Mary: mother of Jesus; hurst: woods) name created by Sisters for their property.

In 1916, she enters the Sisters of the Holy Names at Marylhurst with the conviction that education is the means to change social conditions.

The case began with the "Compulsory Education Bill" which was proposed by initiative petition and passed in the election of 1922.

The Holy Names Sisters challenged the law in United States District Court, where it was declared unconstitutional in 1924.

College classes were inaugurated in 1925 for the future Mount Saint Mary’s College, and a special building was built for them.

In 1930, the college moved to Marylhurst and became Marylhurst College.

Following the flood and fire, St Mary’s Academy experienced another growth in their students – in 1931 boys were allowed in the school.

By 1950 there were numerous growing pains.

1953 Grooming ClubPhoto Credit: Archives, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, United States-Ontario Province

Due to the lack of space and facilities the high school closed in 1956, simultaneously the new elementary school opened on 10th and Cherry Heights, its present location.

1974: Establish associate membership for lay women and men called to live the charism of Marie-Rose Durocher.