Girls Catholic Central High School

Girls Catholic Central High School
Address
58 Parsons Street
Detroit, Michigan
United States
Information
Type Private non-boarding Catholic high school
Established 1893
Founder Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Closed 1969
Faculty 14 (12 IHM Sisters, 2 lay teachers)
Grades 9-12
Gender Female
Enrollment 320
Color(s) Navy blue and white         
Accreditation North Central Association
Newspaper The Centribune
Yearbook The Centravue

Girls Catholic Central High School was a private, non-boarding college preparatory secondary school for girls grades 9 through 12 located in midtown Detroit, Michigan.

History

In September 1893, four IHM Sisters (Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) opened a school called St. Patrick's, at Cathedral parish in Detroit. After several years as St. Patrick’s Grade School, and Saints Peter and Paul Academy, the building was renamed Catholic Central High School for Girls and converted into a high school curriculum in the school year 1927-28. The first graduate was recorded on June 22, 1899.

Thereafter, the school, under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Detroit, was administered by the IHM Sisters, Priests of the CICM order, and was accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation. The tuition-based academic program included strict entrance exams and admission requirements under which potential student applicants were carefully scrutinized.

Many students traveled from considerable distances, not only from Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park but also suburbs including Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, and Livonia. Although the student body was predominantly white for many years, the social changes of the late 1950s and early 1960s began to bring about the enrollment of a small number of students of color. In an atmosphere of ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity, young women of all nationalities, some foreign-born from Eastern European countries, were assimilating comfortably and forming strong bonds of friendship. The interactions and developing camaraderie between the high-achieving students proved to be mutually beneficial and paved the way to academic success.

Located on a quiet side-street in mid-town Detroit, the three-story school building’s Gothic Revival structure is in keeping with the beautiful sounds wafting from nearby Orchestra Hall as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra rehearsed. Familiar symphonies and classical works by famous composers inadvertently provided accompaniment to afternoon classes.

Academics

The demanding college preparatory curriculum offered the required and elective courses at each grade level in Religion, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language (Latin I, II, III), Business (Typing, Shorthand), and Physical Education. A low student-teacher ratio was maintained, ensuring a maximum student body of around 300. The faculty was strongly supported by families who shared the values and mission of Girls Catholic Central and the advantages of single-gender college preparatory education in the absence of demographic influences.

Religion

With the Patroness Mary Queen as inspiration, the principles of Christian life in the Roman Catholic tradition were stressed at all times. In addition to IHM Sisters faculty members, Diocesan priests of the CICM order also held regular religion classes. The academic program was accompanied by mandatory strict adherence to deeply religious values and devotion to the Catholic faith and Church rituals. Prior to the beginning of classes each morning, Mass was attended at the Chapel of St. Theresa-the Little Flower, which was adjacent to the school building, and the Sacrament of Confession was offered weekly.

Traditions

School Pledge:

I pledge my loyalty to the ideals
of Girls Catholic Central.
I pledge to be a zealous Christian.
To be faithful to God,
to my country and to my school.
I pledge to be diligent and studious.
To have the best interest of our school at heart.
To cooperate with faculty and students
in all activities.
Finally, I pledge to be true
to our Patroness
Mary Queen
and Model of our school.

Freshmen initiation:

This was highlighted by "Big Sister, Little Sister Week", a non-academic tradition in which the seniors/big sisters of the new school year were paired with incoming freshmen/little sisters for the initiation period. Subservient freshmen were provided a list of orders and tasks that were created to enforce strict adherence in total acquiescence to seniors’ whims. With a focus on “promoting school spirit”, harmless pranks such as silly hairstyles and wearing reversed clothing were acceptable.

Uniforms:

A strict high standard of dress code was enforced at all times. Make-up and hairstyles were scrutinized, and in general, jewelry was not acceptable, with the exception of wristwatches. The standard complete uniform was a navy blue blazer, white cotton blouse, and navy blue pleated skirt (skirt length below the knee, preferably mid-calf) with white bobby socks or anklets, and lace-up walking shoes or loafers. Once monthly, the more relaxed "First Fridays" dress code rule was in place with the girls being allowed to attend classes “out of uniform”, but with good taste and modesty in mind.

Alma Mater:

The rousing, up-tempo Alma Mater was sung and played after all assemblies, school programs, holiday pageants, and at traditionally formal events such as commencements.


Let’s give a cheer for Catholic Central and let us pledge to her anew

Others may like black or crimson but for us it’s white and blue

Let all our troubles be forgotten - let high school spirit rule

We’ll pledge and give our loyal praises for the good of our ole school

It’s Catholic Central - Girls Catholic Central

The pride of every student here. Our Alma Mater deserves our praises

It’s Catholic Central now we cheer, Rah! Rah!

Now is the time to show what we can do

No matter what the people say. For there is none to fear

For we’re all here, so hail to Catholic Central High

Annual retreat:

A yearly ritual during which three days were set aside for students to reflect in prayer and solitude and penance, and to enhance their Catholic faith. Total silence was required, and with the exception of attendance at assemblies and conferences by visiting hierarchy from the Archdiocese, there was no interaction among the student body for the duration of the event. Students were encouraged to contemplate their lives in a manner reminiscent of the forty days that Christ spent alone in the desert,and to envision their future as good Catholic wives and mothers.

Senior review:

Graduating seniors faced rigid scholastic testing, which was administered at the end of the school year. For several grueling days they were tested on general academic knowledge and readiness for college. The test was mandatory and a passing grade in each subject was required for graduation.

Class ring ceremony:

Several weeks prior to graduation, class rings were blessed by the pastor Priest with the words: “The blessing of our class rings by our priests signifies the blessing of our unbroken unity. It is a constant reminder that we have drawn no lines between us but a circle around all. One in which Christ is the beginning and the end... The worth of your character depends upon how well you have absorbed and enabled yourself to utilize the truths taught to you at Girls Catholic Central. You are proud of your school and therefore. It deserves your loyalty. In the years to come when this school, its faculty, and its principles have become vague memories, your ring should help you to recall all that your school symbolized. This is the purpose of your ring. It has been blessed not only to remind you but also to give you the grace, health of body, and courage of your convictions to execute these principles.”

Graduations:

Commencement ceremonies were traditionally held on Sunday afternoons in early June in the Chapel of St. Theresa-the Little Flower next door. These were very traditional, formal white cap and gown, religious events, beginning with the procession of the graduating seniors through the chapel's famous twin entrance white marble arches. Following High Mass and Communion, the ceremony culminated with the officiating priest launching the graduates into adult life with an inspiring commencement address.

Final years:

For more than a century, the Archdiocese of Detroit shepherded a large number of neighborhood parishes that served religious needs and guided generations of Detroit citizens and immigrants toward the American dream. But as a result of increasing demographic changes, shifting populations and financial constraints affecting so many Catholic schools at the time, school closings became more frequent and widespread. In 1969 Girls Catholic Central High School held its final graduation and closed its doors for the last time.

Girls Catholic Central High School building today

Recent years:

In 1973, at the suggestion of St. Patrick’s senior pastor, Father Thomas Duffey, and under the determined dedication and guidance of its founder, Sister Mary Watson (Dominican order), the school building on Parsons Street was converted into a senior citizens' activity center, renamed St. Patrick’s Senior Center, and began serving meals to local seniors. The center has since never closed its doors and continues to fulfill the needs of Detroit’s growing senior community. As noted on their website, “St. Patrick Senior Center has evolved into a comprehensive health and wellness program that provides valuable services including hot and nutritious meals, an excellent health care clinic, and transportation assistance.” The center has been designated by The Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) as the model senior center for the City of Detroit and throughout the State. On September 22, 1997, the building, which was designed by ecclesiastical architect, Leon Coquard, was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Alumnae:

Hundreds of Girls Catholic Central alumnae hold frequent reunions in Detroit with some events taking place in the school building. "GCC Girls" from all over the country reunite and reflect upon "the unique GCC Experience", pleased to see that most of their classrooms and the school’s original interiors have been left intact. In the summer of 1987 an all-school reunion was held in Detroit with a tremendous turnout. Several IHM sisters faculty members, priests and lay teachers were in attendance, reconnecting with former students, exchanging fond memories, and marveling at the women the girls became.

Girls Catholic Central High School Alumnae Association:

The unique, once-in-a-lifetime "GCC Experience" has resulted in the establishment of an alumnae association connecting former students all over the country. GCC alumnae include teachers, doctors, nurses, college professors, psychiatrists, writers, and numerous other professions for which the catalyst was the Girls Catholic Central education. Some students answered the call from a higher power, entering religious vocations and embarking on lifelong careers as nuns. The shared experiences evocative of their generation and the special bonds of friendship that began in adolescence have carried them through college and careers, marriage and motherhood, and keep them forever connected.

References

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