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Fr. James J. O’Brien, the founding pastor of St. Catherine of Genoa Parish, had a dream that a Catholic elementary school be opened. Having finished construction on the magnificent church, he turned his attention to making that dream a reality. In May 1924 a Great School Drive began with volunteers canvassing the parish soliciting sacrificial donations. These families raised almost $100,000 to purchase bricks for the school, which had been designed by a dedicated parishioner. Fr. O’Brien had great devotion to Teresa of the Child Jesus, who was canonized on May 17, 1925. He promised if the money was raised, the school would be named in her honor. The Hall estate was purchased on the corner of Summer and Belmont Street as the convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who would staff the school.

Two classrooms were admitted on October 29, 1926 to the newly constructed St. Theresa School. Fr. O’Brien greeted the eager young boys and girls and then returned to the rectory. This was the culmination of 35 years of active ministry at St. Catherine of Genoa Parish. In the early evening of that same day, Fr. O’Brien died suddenly in the rectory.

Each year two more classrooms were added until the school reached capacity. The first graduation from the 9th grade occurred in June, 1935. Since then, many students have graduated while many parents and guardians have sacrificed to give their children a well-rounded Catholic education. In the summer of 1953, it was decided that the “little school,” located on the corner of Summer and Spring Streets, which housed two classrooms would be razed; the 9th grade was dropped and the lower level of the school would be remodeled into two new classrooms. This would not be the only change to St. Theresa School. In order to promote a closer connection with the parish, Monsignor John Mahoney decided to rename the school St. Catherine of Genoa.

While the name may have changed, the same standard of educational excellence has continued. Over the years, the faculty integrated lay teachers with the Sisters in the operation of the school. Currently, we have a dedicated lay staff, with Ms. Marian Burns as Principal. The building, through the generosity of many donors, has been continually updated over the decades, offering students a conducive learning environment. St. Catherine School continues to fulfill the mission Fr. O’Brien had envisioned.