History
Building a solid foundation on sacred ground.
Since 1951.
In the early 1950's, the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church established a school for the African-American children of the parish and families in West Greenville.
Over the years our leadership, grade levels and enrollment numbers have changed, but our goal has remained the same: to provide a high-quality education through the generous spirit and work of our faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, as well as our students and their families.
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School opened in a renovated house on Douthit Street on September 8, 1951 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Stella of Niagara, New York. By 1956, 153 students were attending Kindergarten through Grade 8 in a modern brick building, the one we are still in today.
The 1960's integration efforts among Catholic schools led to changes in grades served. From 1968 to 1971, the school taught K-1. Grades 2-8 attended St. Mary's and Our Lady of the Rosary Schools, and their first graders attended St. Anthony's.
From September 1972 through June 1982, the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan took over the care of the school. When they left, enrollment dropped significantly until the Sisters of St. Francis of Buffalo, New York came to St. Anthony’s in 1986.
Since then, the Sisters have made significant contributions that have led to increased enrollment, grade levels served, programs and support. In partnership with the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province, the Sisters and outstanding staff of laypeople continue to courageously teach, serve and advocate for the bright futures of their students.
