Our History

Looking back at our history we can see our School and our Parish has been built through our love of God and love of neighbor. It was through God’s blessings and the personal relationships between the people of God that the project of building a new school was successful. It is in this spirit that our community that continues today.

St. Ignatius School was founded on August 15, 1940 when the Holy Cross Sisters were appointed to staff and open an eight grade school in the basement of St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church at 205 W. Johanna St. It was a 5-room school for K through 8th grades. Classes began on September 15, 1940 with an enrollment of 65 students. The school was staffed by the Sisters of Holy Cross: Sr. Eileen Partrice (principal), Sr. Rita Cascia, Sr. Corona and Sr. Michella Maria.

Fr. Eugene Doré, C.S.C. became pastor in 1949. The parish grew at a tremendous rate during this time period and the demand for student enrollment greatly exceeded the available school accommodations.  The 218 students attending at that time stretched the limits of the school’s capacity.  In November of 1953 Fr. Doré, C.S.C., purchased five and a half acres from the John La Prelle Estate for $65,000, which is the present location of the Church, School, Annex, and Family Center.

In 1954 parish men worked evenings from 6 to 9 pm and on Saturdays to begin construction of the convent for the sisters.  The convent was completed in 1955 and an open house was held in December of that year.

In 1954 the present St. Ignatius Martyr School Building was designed by architects Jessen, Jessen, Millhouse and Greeven; Archie C. Fitzgerald was the general contractor.  This new school was designed to accommodate 450 in grades 1 to 8 and was to be constructed of Arkansas ledge and Texas limestone.  Groundbreaking for the new St. Ignatius, Martyr School Building took place on October 10, 1954, and among those manning the shovel was Austin Mayor C.A. McAden.  The school was completed and dedicated by Bishop Reicher on June 15, 1955, and the many celebrities on hand included Austin Mayor Tom Miller and the City Council members.

On May 8, 2015 to mark the beginning of the 75th anniversary of our school, a time capsule was buried in the front of the school under the big brown cross. It is to be opened in the year 2040 for the 100th anniversary.

We are indebted to the many Holy Cross sisters, brothers and priests who have dedicated their lives to the education of our young people and the growth of our parishioners for over 75 years.  With God’s help we will continue to educate minds and form hearts for many more years to come!