Atlanta Catholic Centennial

The second school to be opened by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Atlanta was the Sacred Heart Parochial School. Rev. Father John E. Gunn, S. M., in later years Bishop of Natchez, who was then pastor of the Sacred Heart Church invited this order of nuns to open a school in that parish.

The Sacred Heart School was opened on September 29, 1909, at 330 Courtland Street (present numbering). This location was the southwest corner of Courtland Street and Forrest Avenue. The first year, 1909-1910, the school and convent were located in the same building. In the fall of 1910 another building had been secured and the school was conducted in a separate building. Both of these structures were old residences which had been altered to meet their new requirements. These buildings were used by the Sacred Heart Parish for fifteen years.

Sister M. Francis was the first Superior. She had four assistants, Sister M. Joannes, Sister Marie de Lourdes, Sister M. Alphonsa who was later Superior of St. Anthony's Parochial School for many years, and Sister M. Immaculata who was also a Superior at St. Anthony's School for two years.

The Sacred Heart Parish grew rapidly and the increased number of children in the school required larger quarters. In 1924, under the administration of Rev. Father James A. Horton, S. M., a building ample for the school needs was erected for the Sacred Heart Parochial School. This building was three floors in height and of fireproof construction. The cost was $120,000. Most Rev. Michael J. Keyes, Bishop of Savannah, dedicated it November 16, 1924, and it has been in continuous use since that date. Grammar school courses for boys and girls, and three high school courses for girls, literary, commercial and general, are provided. Music and athletics are also included in the school's courses. It is fully equipped to care for five hundred pupils. The location, according to present number is 312-314 Courtland Street, N. E. At present it is the only Catholic senior high school for girls in Atlanta.

The Sacred Heart Parish also built a fireproof convent for the Sisters at No. 64 Baker Street, N. E. (present numbering). This building, including land, cost $63,000. It was built about 1925. The money for both the convent and school building was raised by prominent Catholic laymen of the Sacred Heart parish.

At the present time Sister M. Carmelita is the Superior and Principal. Her assistants are -- High School: Sister Anna Marie, twelfth grade; Sister Marie Therese, eleventh grade; Sister M. Bernardine, tenth grade; Sister Kathleen Marie, Ninth grade; Sister Marie Celine, eighth grade; Sister Marie Cecile, seventh grade. Grammar School: Sister M. Dorothy, sixth grade; Sister Frances Jane, fifth grade; Sister Alice Joseph, fourth grade; Sister Cecilia Joseph, third grade; Sister Agnes Joseph, second grade; Sister Roberta Joseph, first grade.

Sacred Heart School pupils who have been blest with vocations in the services of Holy Mother Church are: In the order of Sisters of St. Joseph: Catherine Wolpert, Sister Bernadette; Nellie Stephens, Sister Agnes Catherine; Agnes Carmen, Sister Gertrude Therese. In the order of Holy Cross Sisters: Helen Minahan, Sister Canisius; Gertrude Minahan, Sister Benjamin. In the order of Holy Name Sisters: Geraldine O'Donnell, Sister Imelda Marie. In the order of Sisters of Mercy: Amelia Eisle, Sister M. Francene. In the order of Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament: Mary Calkens, Sister Marie de Lourdes.

Rev. Father Marion Perry, O. M., was formerly a Sacred Heart School pupil. Two other boys, James Pratt and Daniel Mannen, are now students preparing to enter the Marists.