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St. Mary Star of the Sea School
Founded 1923, Hampton,
Virginia
Diocese of Richmond
Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, Virginia, St. Mary Star of the
Sea School stands as a living witness to her patroness. Here children are
offered a Catholic education that is known for both its academic challenge
and a complete integration of the Faith. About twenty-five percent of the
students are from military families based at nearby Fort Monroe. Daily
bugle calls and summer military band concerts are part of the school's
atmosphere. Its distinctive waterfront campus, from which ships can be
seen passing in and out of Norfolk Naval Base, is unique among our
missions and memorable for all the sisters who have been missioned there.
The need for a school was recognized by Father Thomas J. Wilson, who by
his death in 1920 had amassed funds for the purpose. Local families,
headed by three laymen, continued the effort and obtained permission to
build the school in 1923. Called Bright View, the house had been a
convalescent hospital for soldiers during the Civil War. It was here that
Monsignor William A. Gill established St. Mary Star of the Sea School, the
first parochial school on the peninsula. The enrollment for its first year
was fewer than 100 students.
Today St. Mary has 216 students and a dynamic program with a caring
family atmosphere. The school has had deep roots in the Hampton and
Phoebus communities for generations - roots that have been planted by
faith, prayer and the dedication of the Dominican Sisters, teachers,
students, friends and benefactors.
| Current Bishop: |
Bishop Francis X. di Lorenzo |
| Parishes served:
|
St. Mary Star of the Sea, St. Rose of Lima, St.
Joseph, Immaculate Conception |
| Enrollment:
|
216 |
| Landmark Dates |
|
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• 1923 |
Convent built |
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• 1936-40 |
New assembly hall and classrooms |
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• 1952 |
Five new classrooms added |
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• 1955 |
Additional classrooms added |
| |
• 1960 |
Upper building added: new classrooms, library and
offices |
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• 1973 |
50th Anniversary |
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• 1998 |
75th Anniversary |
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• 2004 |
New cafeteria and gymnasium added |
Visit St. Mary Star of the Sea School at:
www.saintmarystarofthesea.com |
