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HISTORY
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<%>During the 1950’s and 60’s the population of Wilmington expanded rapidly beyond the city’s boundaries. A large influx of Catholic families strained the resources of Corpus Christi and St. John the Beloved parishes. It was for these reasons that Bishop Michael W. Hyle created a new parish, St. Catherine of Siena. On October 14, 1960, he appointed Father James W. Lutz to guide and direct the formation of the new parish. After acreage was sold off for surrounding developments, the twelve remaining acres of the Baker farm was purchased by the Diocese of Wilmington. This site was designated as the home of St. Catherine of Siena parish. The farm house became the rectory.
The infancy of the parish was a time of enthusiasm and excitement which fostered tremendous spiritual growth. The members of Cranston Heights Fire Company made their hall available to the new parishioners of St. Catherine’s for Sunday worship. Until the water in the cruet froze, daily Mass was offered in the rectory garage. In April 1961, many parishioners became “workhorses of the parish”. It was the perserverance of these “workhorses” that enabled them to renovate the barracks at the old airbase in New Castle and create a building acceptable as a temporary school.
St. Catherine of Siena School opened in 1961 in temporary quarters in the renovated barracks at the Greater Wilmington Airport (New Castle County Airport). On April 30, 1962, ground was broken for the school and church. The completed building was dedicated on August 25, 1963.
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In the fall of 1991, major construction was completed which provided St. Catherine of Siena Parish with a new Church with Gathering Space and a Parish Life Center/Gym. As a result of this capital project, the school enjoys new, updated office space, the gym, and classroom expansion that allows for space for special subject areas. During the 2000-01 school year, new windows were installed and the library and second floor classrooms were air-conditioned. In the summer of 2002, a new playground was built on the extensive parish grounds.
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is in a unique position because it is housed in one building and, therefore, most of the activities of the entire parish are able to be held at this location. This fact underscores the parish concept and reality of community that is found here at St. Catherine of Siena.
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