Our Story
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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!
Our Mission Statement
St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School, founded in the Holy Cross tradition, educates the mind and forms the hearts of children.
We believe a Catholic school offers young people the means to gain knowledge and to develop understanding and wisdom, which are essential to serve effectively and prosper in a global society. We believe in fostering: Hearts that are compassionate and nourished by Catholic teachings and values. Minds that are curious and well-trained in the humanities and sciences. Lives that are active and committed to citizenship, service, and social justice.
St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School guides each child to:- Develop a healthy self-concept, rooted in self-respect, honesty and God's love
- Realize his/her unique potential within a community
- Respect and care for others
- Worship and adore God
- Adopt moral behavior in the light of God's Word and accept responsibility for his/her actions
- Assume responsibility for and find excitement in lifelong learning and achievement
- Think imaginatively and openly explore ideas
- Realize that academic knowledge and skills are tools fro recognizing and solving problems, thereby serving and benefiting others
- Developing physical strength and skills for an active life
Our Motto: Developing Curious Minds, Compassionate Hearts, and Committed Lives since 1940
St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School at a glance:- A Challenging and Broad-Based Curriculum
- Religious Values infused into the Curriculum
- Daily Prayer
- Weekly Mass
- A Caring Family Environment
- A Highly Qualified Faculty & Staff
- Teaching scholars for St. Edwards’s University
- Computers in all classrooms
- After School Care Program
- Extra-curricular sports program for students in grades 3 – 8
Our Patron SaintSt. Ignatius of Antioch was a convert to the faith and a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. St. Chrysostom says that St. Peter appointed him Bishop of Antioch, which See he governed for forty years. The saint longed to shed his blood for Christ, but the opportunity was not granted him during the persecution under Domitian.
While the short reign of Nerva lasted, the Church was in peace, but under Trajan, persecution broke out anew. In the year 107a.d., the Emperor came to Antioch. Ignatius was seized and brought before him. Having confessed Christ, he was condemned to be taken in chains to Rome, there to be exposed to the wild beasts.
During this last journey, he was welcomed by the faithful of Smyrna, Troas, and other places along the route. He arrived in Rome just as the public spectacles in the amphitheater were drawing to a close. The faithful of the city came out to meet him. He was at once hurried to the amphitheater, where two fierce lions immediately devoured him.
He ended his saintly life by a glorious death, exclaiming, "May I become agreeable bread to the Lord."
His remains were carried to Antioch, where they were interred. In the reign of Theodosius they were transferred to a church within the city. At present they are venerated in Rome.
During his long journey by boat from Antioch to Rome, he addressed seven epistles to various congregations, in which as a disciple of the Apostles, he testifies to the dogmatic character of Apostolic Christianity. He is also known to have first used the term Catholic (universal), as it applies to the Church.