Atlanta Catholic Centennial

On September 16, 1912, at the invitation of Rev. Father O. N. Jackson, the first pastor of St. Anthony's parish, the Sisters of Mercy established a Parochial School in St. Anthony's parish. The first school was held in the old rectory building that formerly stood on Ashby Street directly behind St. Anthony's Church. Three rooms of this building, which had formerly been used as a chapel before the completion of the basement auditorium of the church, were converted into school rooms. The following year, 1913, the house adjoining the rectory was purchased and converted into a school house.

Sister Mary Irene, the first Mother Superior, was sent here with Sister M. Aloysius as assistant by Mother M. Genevieve in charge of the Sisters of Mercy at Savannah, Georgia. They lived at the Convent on Washington Street and made the trip from there to St. Anthony's School and return every day, in rain, snow, sleet, good weather and bad weather on the street cars. It was necessary for them to transfer to make the trip. Old-timers will remember that street cars in those days were not as comfortable as those of today. It was a trying trip for anyone in bad weather.

The first school opened with an attendance of about fifty pupils. St. Anthony's Schools from their beginning have had some pupils from Catholic families in Fort McPherson to attend their schools. They have also had children of non-Catholic families attending. They have all been welcome.

The Sisters of Mercy taught St. Anthony's Parochial School for four years. Besides the Sisters above mentioned, Sister M. Cleophus, Sister M. Loretta, Sister M. Catherine, Sister M. Melanie and Sister M. Conception taught in this school. The Sisters received the assistance of Miss Emma Corley and Miss Catherine Stocking who taught the first two grades. Miss Emma Corley is now Mrs. Godfrey Hoch. In June, 1917, the Sisters of Mercy resigned this school as the available teachers were needed elsewhere.

The building which was used as a parochial school by the Sisters of Mercy in St. Anthony's parish was located at No. 651 Ashby Street, S. W. It was not needed after the school was moved to Gordon Street and was disposed of by the parish.