On July 19, 1935 Fr. Raymond G. Schlitzer, a linguist and teacher at St. Mary’s College, became Acting Pastor of St. Gregory’s Parish.

From the moment of his appointment he dreamed of a parochial school in North East. Five years later, as he was driving westward out of town, he noticed a “For Sale” sign on the Mizener property (located at 140 West Main St. “What a place for our school,” he thought.

A lawyer was contacted and on December 16, 1940 the Mizner Home became the property of the Redemptorist Fathers. Renovations began immediately, including a convent for the Sisters, as well as classrooms for Kindergarten, first and second grade.

September 2, 1941, St. Gregory’s Parochial School was ready to take its first pupils. (20 children were in kindergarten, 19 in first grade, and 14 in second grade). However, because building renovations were not complete, classes began in the Church basement. Sr. Rita Anne (K), Sr. Anne Jane (gr. 1) and Sr. Raphael (gr. 2) were the first teachers.

October 6, 1941 K-2 school was conducted for the first time at the 140 West Main St. location. Regarding the newly-opened school, Fr. Schlitzer recorded in a hand-written diary, “What work, what troubles, what heartache could be mentioned in bringing about this long-cherished hope!”

Each year, St. Gregory School added another grade. In 1942, St. Gregory’s added Principal Sr. Lucilla. By 1945 the K-6 school had 185 pupils. In September1948, St. Gregory’s High School began with Sr. Kathleen, OSB as principal.

In December.1948 Fr. Schlitzer’s health began to deteriorate. Fr. Charles O’Leary and Fr. Joseph Coughlin assisted St. Gregory’s while he received medical attention. Because Fr. Schlitzer’s health continued to grow worse, Fr. Daly was transferred to St. Gregory’s from St. Alphonsus parish in New York to assist Fr. O’Leary and Fr. Coughlin.

By 1951, St. Gregory’s School had 284 students in the grade school and 53 students in the High School. In 1952, St. Gregory’s said goodbye to it’s first graduating senior class.

On July 19, 1935 Fr. Raymond G. Schlitzer, a linguist and teacher at St. Mary’s College, became Acting Pastor of St. Gregory’s Parish.

From the moment of his appointment he dreamed of a parochial school in North East. Five years later, as he was driving westward out of town, he noticed a “For Sale” sign on the Mizener property (located at 140 West Main St. “What a place for our school,” he thought.

A lawyer was contacted and on December 16, 1940 the Mizner Home became the property of the Redemptorist Fathers. Renovations began immediately, including a convent for the Sisters, as well as classrooms for Kindergarten, first and second grade.

September 2, 1941, St. Gregory’s Parochial School was ready to take its first pupils. (20 children were in kindergarten, 19 in first grade, and 14 in second grade). However, because building renovations were not complete, classes began in the Church basement. Sr. Rita Anne (K), Sr. Anne Jane (gr. 1) and Sr. Raphael (gr. 2) were the first teachers.

October 6, 1941 K-2 school was conducted for the first time at the 140 West Main St. location. Regarding the newly-opened school, Fr. Schlitzer recorded in a hand-written diary, “What work, what troubles, what heartache could be mentioned in bringing about this long-cherished hope!”

Each year, St. Gregory School added another grade. In 1942, St. Gregory’s added Principal Sr. Lucilla. By 1945 the K-6 school had 185 pupils. In September1948, St. Gregory’s High School began with Sr. Kathleen, OSB as principal.

In December.1948 Fr. Schlitzer’s health began to deteriorate. Fr. Charles O’Leary and Fr. Joseph Coughlin assisted St. Gregory’s while he received medical attention. Because Fr. Schlitzer’s health continued to grow worse, Fr. Daly was transferred to St. Gregory’s from St. Alphonsus parish in New York to assist Fr. O’Leary and Fr. Coughlin.

By 1951, St. Gregory’s School had 284 students in the grade school and 53 students in the High School. In 1952, St. Gregory’s said goodbye to it’s first graduating senior class.