A School is Born

With the parish growing at such a rapid rate and so many young families moving into the area, it was evident a school would be needed. The first school fund drive was held in 1950. Even before the school became a part of the parish, the Ursuline Sisters were working with us and for us, conducting religious education classes. In September, 1954, the Ursuline Sisters of Blue Point came to St. William the Abbot to open the school. Mother Agnes O'Brien was the first principal assisted by five other Sisters who taught grades 1-5. The children from Seaford public school shared the building that year.

The rapid growth continued and the need for space became evident. To meet these needs of the increasing enrollment, 14 additional classrooms, an auditorium, a library, and a cafeteria were built. During the years 1960 to 1975, Sister Virginia, Sister Bernard, and Sister Jean Redigan served as principals. They were aided by some very competent and dedicated teachers, both religious and lay. No effort was spared to provide our children with the best in education, a policy that remains in effect to this day. The commitment to education that brought the Ursulines to St. William the Abbot was and remains alive to this very day even though the faculty is mostly lay teachers today.

It has been and always will be the hallmark of St. William the Abbot School, in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Ursula, that as new needs arise and our young seek to grow in their understanding of the faith, dedicated individuals will arise to meet these needs. Through the keen sense of listening and pastoral leadership, the school established in this Ursuline tradition will always flourish and grow. The school and the Ursuline Sisters are very much a part of our history and they will be an essential part of our future.

If you would like to know more about our school, please visit our school's page by clicking here.

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