Steubenville Catholic Central High School

When school days long are past

And memories will last

Then we will cherish thoughts of yesteryear

And pleasant they will be

When'er we think of Thee

Dear Alma Mater know our loyalty

Sing ye of Central sing

Hail to Thee!

Thy name is liberty, truth, morality

Wave true ye Blue and Gold

March on Crusaders bold

Vict'ry will then unfold...CENTRAL HIGH.

Mission Statement

We, the members of Catholic Central High School, exist in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we pass on the heritage and Tradition of our faith to the students whom we serve. We do this through a belief in the living presence of God; a respect for the guidance of the Church; and an active concern, both personal and communal, for social justice, peace and human rights. We look to our patroness, Mary of the Immaculate Conception, who serves as the perfect model for our students as they grow towards Christian maturity, adulthood, and an awareness of the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives. We foster a program of academic excellence enhanced by co-curricular, extra-curricular and athletic activites which affirm our mission of educating the "whole Christian person" in a supportive Catholic environment. We respect and nurture an interdependent relationship between and among our school, parents, parishes, and other communities from which Catholic Central High School draws life.

History of Catholic Central

The parochial school system in Steubenville had its beginnings in 1853 when Father Thienpoint enlarged St. Pius Church (now St. Peter's) and used some of its facilities as a parish school. In those days the faculty was made up entirely of lay men.

In 1865, Father W. T. Bigelow succeeded Father Thienpoint and brought the Sisters of Charity from Cincinnati to staff the school.

Father Hartnedy founded St. Peter's High School, built on North Fourth Street. In 1883, the Pastor of St. Peter's bought five lots on the corner of South Fifth and Slack Streets and founded the Holy Name parish. The first Holy Name school consisted of a few rooms in an old mansion built on that property in 1830. In the meantime, St. Peter's School had been turned over to the Dominican Sisters from St. Mary's of the Springs in Columbus. Two of the Sisters went to Holy Name School each day to teach the children in the new parish.

Holy Name High School (parent school of C.C.H.S.) can trace its origin to the year 1889. In the fall of that year, the Reverend James J. Hartley, who was then pastor of Holy Name Parish, and later Bishop of Columbus, opened a high school in connection with Holy Name Grade School. The first class graduated seven young ladies in 1892.

Msgr. Joseph Weigand, the second pastor of Holy Name, devoted a great deal of time and effort to the work of the parish high school. Continued progress made it necessary to provide a separate building. In 1922, a plot of ground directly opposite the elementary school was acquired and upon it a one-story structure of four rooms was erected.

Msgr. Weigand was succeeded by Msgr. Edward A. Gilbert, who continued the work of the high school. So successful had he been in his efforts that iwas decided to extend the facilities of the school to the other parishes of the city. In preparation, several rooms were added to the existing building. In September, 1930, Holy Name High School was converted into an inter-parochial or Central High School for the parishes of Steubenville, Mingo Junction, Toronto, Weirton, and Follansbee.

Shortly after his installation as first Bishop of the Diocese of Steubenville, the Most REverend John King Mussio designated Catholic Central a Diocesan High School under the administration of a Board made up of the pastors of Steubenville, Mingo Junction and Toronto. Under his leadership, plans were begun in 1947, for a new Catholic Central High School in the West End of Steubenville (the present location). On January 15 of that year, nine pastors and lay chairmen from each of their parishes met with Bishop Mussio in order to formulate plans for a drive to provide funds for the building of the new school.

The campaign was launched on February 16, 1947 and was successfully concluded just twleve days later.

A tract of land, the old Becker Highland property, was purchased; contracts were let and the present building was begun early in 1949. The new school opened its doors in September, 1950 and graduated 171 boys and girls in 1951.

In 1963-1964, the present cafeteria and auto shop complex was added. In 1978-1979 a third building project provided the Gymnasium/Band classroom/Locker room complex. In 1979, the new metric track field was added to the existing sports facilities.

During the many years of its existence, Catholic Central High School has been ably staffed by lay men and women, diocesan priests, Dominican Sisters of Columbus, Franciscan Sisters of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Felician Sisters of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, and Vincentian Sisters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Today, Catholic Central High School is a fully accredited high school, meeting all the secondary school standards of the State of Ohio and of the North Central Educational Association.

Shield image drawn by Nial Pashke.
Crusader image drawn by Deanna Iaccavone.