After More than 10 Years, Aquinas Academy
Continues to Thrive
Aquinas Academy, with its roots firmly planted in the three
parish schools that preceded it, has flourished since it was
established in 1995. As Aquinas prepared to celebrate its
10-year anniversary, school leaders and former diocesan officials
said the decision to merge St. Bruno, St. Paul and Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral schools was a wise one.
The move to one Catholic school in the Greensburg area was announced
in early 1995 following a six-month study that showed a single
school would be more cost effective and would allow for a stronger
academic program.
Ultimately, the validation of any school is reflected in the
quality of its programs and the Aquinas Academy programs are
strong, according to Greensburg Bishop Emeritus Anthony G. Bosco,
who announced the merger in February 1995. He said that
parents, who may have had initial reservations, soon found that
the consolidation was a success.
What drives a decision to merge schools doesn’t always
overcome the worries of parents, who are often concerned about
the unknown, or the grieving of others who mourn the loss of
their parish school, he continued.
But Sister of Charity Brycelyn Eyler has been a strong principal,
he said, noting that under her leadership, the school has evolved
into an institution that inspires allegiance from faculty, staff,
students, parents and alumni.
“My biggest hope (for students) is that they are using the gifts
God gave them to be the best they can be,” Sister Brycelyn said. I
want them to be rooted in faith, but to also use their minds to benefit their
communities. I want them to know what it means to be of service to others.”
That is how Aquinas has measured – and will continue to
measure – its success, she noted.
Following is a history of Catholic elementary education in the
City of Greensburg:
1846 Establishment of Most Holy Sacrament Parish
1853 Benedictines of St. Vincent assume responsibility for the
parish
1862 Establishment of St. Benedict School
1883 Sisters of Charity Staff St. Benedict School
1894 Four-Room facility erected on Main Street as a temporary
school
1904 Red brick building erected – currently houses Aquinas
Academy
1910 Establishment of Our Lady of Grace Parish
1919 Establishment of St. Bruno Parish
1921 Mission school established on Hamilton/Grove Streets
1948 Main Street building is renovated
1951 Diocese of Greensburg is formed and Most Blessed Sacrament
Parish became Blessed Sacrament . Cathedral Parish while
St. Benedict School became Blessed Sacrament Cathedral School
1953 Diocesan priests assume responsibility for Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral Parish
1954 Construction of an addition to red brick facility on Main
Street
1955 Addition to red brick facility is dedicated; St. Paul Parish
is formed
1956 St. Bruno School opens
1960 St. Paul School Opens
1968 Greensburg Catholic Middle School established sponsored
by Holy Cross, St. Bruno and St. Paul parishes
1992 Greensburg Catholic Middle School closes
1995 Aquinas Academy established as the merger of Cathedral, St.
Bruno and St. Paul schools
Above - Students busy at their desks in the old St. Paul School.
It is believed that this photo was
taken sometime in the early
to mid-1950s. In 1960, after six years of planning, the new
St.
Paul School opened its doors in Carbon with 562 students enrolled.
Aquinas Academy of Greensburg
340 North Main St. | Greensburg, PA 15601 | 724-834-7940
info@aquinasacademy.org
