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Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
Founded 1954, Newport News,
Virginia
Diocese of Richmond
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Celebrates 50 Years Contemplating Christ
in
the School of Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School opened in the fall of 1954. The Carmelite
Fathers had recently built a church on Harpersville Road, and Bishop Peter
Ireton of Richmond called Mother Joan of Arc, Superior General of the
Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation of Nashville, Tennessee to come and
staff the new grade school. The Dominicans responded by sending Sister
Marie William (principal), Sister Mary Raphael, and Sister Mary Benedict
to
Newport News, and the school opened that same fall with 106 students in
three classrooms for grades 1 - 3. In September 1955, our school reopened
with the addition of a fourth grade and our first lay teacher, Mrs. Mary
Wentland. Over the next few years our school grew and by 1957 we had
incorporated the sixth grade. The goal was to have grades seventh and
eighth added in the future. In 1962, five more classrooms, lavatories,
lunchroom and kitchen were added to the school. October, 1965 the Home and
School Association became active and we saw the ground breaking of a new
convent for our teaching sisters. On October 4, 1997, dedication to the
newly built school addition took place. Eight classrooms, a
 Computer Lab,
Science Lab, Library/Media Center, teacher's lounge and office space were
added to the already existing facility. The summer of 2001 saw
construction
of a new playground. Over the past fifty years, the school has grown to
over 520 students, with sixty faculty and staff. In 2003 an eighth grade
was added for a complete PreK-Eight Grade program, reaching our goal of
1957.
Though many changes have occurred over the years, including the turnover
of
the parish and school to the diocese by the Carmelite Fathers in June
1990,
the most important things remain the same. Education of youth stands as
the
hallmark of our mission; nurturing spiritual, intellectual, emotional,
social, and physical growth. We proudly boast of the schools faith-filled
spirit nurtured within the broader parish setting under the guidance of
the
pastor.
May God bless all those who have passed through our doors, and
may the next fifty years be marked by Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
bringing the faith to thousands more in the upcoming fifty years.
| Current Bishop: |
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo |
|
Current Pastor: |
Father Ken Wood |
| Parishes served:
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
| Enrollment:
|
520 |
| Landmark Dates |
|
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• 1953 |
First Mass held in parish |
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• 1954 |
Classes began in building with three classrooms |
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• 1955 |
Dedication of church, school, and social center |
| |
• 1965 |
First convent built |
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• 1969 |
Present convent built; original convent converted
into rectory |
| |
• 1986 |
New sanctuary and chapel dedicated |
| |
• 1997 |
New addition to school, including science lab,
computer lab, library, faculty room, conference room and offices |
| |
• 2003 |
Eighth grade added to
complete the three-year middle school program |
| |
• 2005 |
Celebration of 50 Years
Contemplating Christ in the School of Mary
|
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Pictured are Ron Messier, 3rd Year
Trustee; Jesse Powell, Grand Knight; Sister Catherine Joseph,
Principal; and Charles Olsen, Warden. |
The Knights of Columbus, Council 5480
of Newport News, in support of Catholic Education have generously
donated to Our Lady of Mount close to $ 150,000.00 in scholarships
over the past 10 years, $ 300,000.00 for a new Middle School
building and recently pledged $ 150,000.00 towards building
renovations of the original main building erected in 1954.
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Visit Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
at:
http://www.olmc-school.com/ |
