HGP 50th Anniversary

Holy Ghost Preparatory School was founded in 1897 as a preparatory and junior collegiate seminary for young men who were studying to become members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. At that time, the school was called Holy Ghost Apostolic College and educated seminarians from first-year high school through second-year college. Each student lived at the seminary in areas that today have been made into classrooms.

In the 1920’s the name of the school was changed to Holy Ghost Missionary College, a reflection of the important Spiritan apostolate in the African missions that continues to this day.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 1910, the Chapel of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit was dedicated and blessed by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, the Most Reverend P.J. Ryan. 2010 marks the 100th Anniversary of this historic occasion. The Chapel is significant to the life of Holy Ghost students, first as seminarians where they had daily prayer and worship to the modern Holy Ghost, where students celebrate daily mass, receive their class rings as juniors in a ceremony each fall and where school masses are held.

In 1959, the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers undertook a major revamping of their educational program. At this time, all first and second-year college seminarians were moved from Holy Ghost and sent to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For the first time in its history, the school would open its doors to a high school student who was interested in preparing himself for college without entering the seminary program. It was at this time that the name became Holy Ghost Preparatory School. The first group of day students entered in 1959 and attended class side by side with the high school seminarians. During the following years and as the school’s population grew, its reputation for excellence became synonymous with its name.

From the Day Journal:

Thursday, September 10, 1959

Weather – warm and humid

Low mass celebrated by Father Wright

Day students started coming in around 8:15.

Books were given out starting with Seniors at 8:45 followed by twenty-minute class periods.
Day students left after last class in the morning and there were two softball games for the seminarians. Weiner roast up at the hut at 6:15. Lights out 9:30

Dramatics was founded at HGP by Claire Winkler, a part-time speech teacher and only lay person associated with Holy Ghost Missionary College. Today, drama and the arts are an important part of the Holy Ghost experience. Two Plays, under the guidance of Rev. Christopher McDermot, C.S.Sp. are produced each year. A superior music program under the guidance of Beth Vilsmeir trains students who go on to further their love and passion for music at the University level and beyond. An award winning art program, directed by Karen Smallen continues to develop today’s students.

Improvements were made in both the physical plant and the educational and extracurricular programs. The construction of the gym (1962), the addition of new math, science and language programs, the expansion of the interscholastic sports program and non-athletic activities such as dramatics, newspaper, yearbook, and forensics have all served to further the school’s aim of providing a well-rounded educational experience for each student.

Gym

1963 marked the formal dedication of the gym and the athletic fields. The Firebird Fieldhouse planned location was along the railroad tracks, until the site had to be changed when eleven acres of the Holy Ghost Prep campus were condemned for the construction of I-95. In 2003, the Firebird Fieldhouse was renovated including a new maple hardwood floor, new locker and bathroom facilities, a new weight and fitness center, and full climate control.

Fr. Marshall begins a three-year process of hiring lay teachers, hiring long-time faculty members John Buettler ‘64 and Ted Grabowski. Both Mr. Buettler and Mr. Grabowski are active members of the Holy ghost community today. John continues to teach latin and is involved with guidance and forensics. Ted, is the Director of College Guidance and an Assistant Baseball Coach. In 1999, the Ted Grabowski Baseball Field was named in his honor.

Building on the early successes of the Father’s Association which was developed by Father Hanley in the early 1960’s, Father O’Rourke, Superior of the Holy Ghost community requested that a Mother’s Guild be formed. In late April of that year, a posh, white-gloved tea was held. Today, the Mother’s Guild and Father’s Association are important partners in helping the school build a vibrant community between Holy Ghost and its families.

In 1968, the Spiritans discontinued the seminary program so that, at present, the entire enrollment of Holy Ghost Prep consists of nonresident, college-bound students. Father Hanley, now in his second year as Headmaster, looks to strengthen the academic and extra-curricular program, seeking to make it a true college preparatory program. Extracurriculars from dramatics to a spirt club blossom.

Under the leadership of John Mundy ‘65, the cross country team goes undefeated, winning the  Suburban Catholic League and bringing Holy Ghost Prep its first league trophy and championship team.

George Muller ‘69, plays with the band Iron Gate at one of the ever-popular Holy Ghost mixers. Today, still a popular event with the student, attendance at the HGP dances numbers over 1,000.

In 1970, Holy Ghost Preparatory School was formed as a non-profit corporation. The Provincial Council of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, U.S. Province-East, served as Board of Directors for the school until 1992, when they created a Board of Trustees. This Board consists of a minimum of eleven and a maximum of seventeen members, and is composed of Spiritans and non clergy representatives.

David Zwolik becomes Holy Ghost’s first State Champion in Forensics. The team has won 28 consecutive Philadelhphia City Speech Championships, 13 of the last 15 Stae Championships, hundreds of individual and team championships, over 80 individual State Championships and 16 individual National Championships.  John Buetler ’64, a member of the Pennsylvania High School Speech League Hall of Fame, served as Head Coach from 1970 -1979. Tony Figliola serves as coach from 1980 through present, having achieved recognition as both a State Hall of Fame member and National Forensics League Hall of Famer as a Four Diamond Coach.

Vince Profy, a member of the Class of 1965, returns to teach at Holy Ghost, joining John Buetler ‘64. Current Alumni who teach or are  head coaches at HGP include: Ryan Abramson ‘94, Director of Admissions; Tony Chapman ‘71, Head Basketball Coach and Teacher; Mike Culnan ‘95, Teacher; Rev. Jeffret Duaime ‘76, President, Chris Fehrle ‘99, Head Soccer Coach; Ken Ferrara ‘89, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement; Justin Goulet ‘99, Head Tennis Coach and Teacher, Michael Griffin ‘96, Teacher, Mike Jacobs ‘01, Teacher, Gary Nolan ‘95, Teacher, Head Golf Coach and Peter Puleo ‘98, Teacher.

Holy Ghost joins Bicentennial Athletic League for its Athletic teams, building on its strong Athletic history, having won the Prep School mile relay at the Penn Relays, winning an individual State Championship in the two-mile run, a State Championship in 1970 by the Track Team and District and State Championships by the Basketball Teams. For a list of Championships, won by the Firebirds click here.

Under the leadership of Father McNally, C.S.Sp., Headmaster of Holy Ghost from 1977 -1987, Holy Ghost celebrates its 25th anniversary as a prep school. During Father McNally’s tenure, Holy Ghost strengthens and expands its academic program, developing the first classes in AP.

1984 marked the moving of the Spiritan residences from the 2nd floor of Cornwells to Spiritan Hall, allowing the Prep School to expand its classroom space on the second and third floors.

Holy Ghost Prep recognized by U.S. Department of Education as Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a prestigious award honoring a select group of schools which are uniquely effective in meeting local, state, and national educational goals. Recipients are selected on a number of factors including leadership, educational environment, curriculum, parents and community support and organizational vitality.  Other factors weighed are student performance, postgraduate pursuits, staff and student attendance and awards.

Founders Hall is built, housing the library, classrooms, and computer labs. The gift was funded, in part, by the generosity of Philadelphia’s Connelly Foundation and thru the generous support of alumni, parents and friends of Holy Ghost.  This is the first new buliding on campus, since the building of Spiritan Hall in 1984, which today houses administrative offices and the Spiritan Residence.

Father James McCloskey, C.S.Sp. named first Holy Ghost President, having served as headmaster from 1990 through 2001 and then President from 2001 to 2002. During Father McCloskey’s tenure, the school grew from 300 students to nearly 500 students, a lay Board of Trustees was organized and the School underwent a transformation in its physical plant not seen since the 1960’s.  A long range planning process was developed, resulting in enhancements to the School’s physical plant. Initially, all science labs were renovated asn a state of the art computer lab was added. Subsequently, Founders’ Hall was built, adding a new library, classrooms and computer labs and the soccer field and track were developed.

Rev. Jeffrey Duaime, C.S.Sp., a member of Holy Ghost Prep’s Class of 1976, is named 2nd President of the School. Under Father Jeff’s leadership the School realizes its largest philanthropic commitment from an individual donor, totaling $2.8 million in matching funds for scholarships and financial aid endowment. To date $2 million additional dollars have been secured in gifts and pledges.

Today, Father Jeff is leading a strategic planning process with the Board of Trustees, that looks at the School’s physical plant and develops a plan for the next 50 years of Holy Ghost Prep’s history.

Firebird Fieldhouse is renovated, funded in part through the School’s generous alumni, parents and friends as part of the Second Century Campaign.  The renovations include new, state of the art weight room, locker rooms, flooring for the basketball court and new stands. The arena is renamed Chapman Arena, in honor of Tony Chapman, long-time faculty member and basketball coach.

Holy Ghost Students competes with over 270 schools from around the world, including England, Korea, China and the best schools from throughout the United States in annual math modeling competition. William Lambert, the School’s Calculus BC teacher at the School coached Holy Ghost Prep’s team. Both Holy Ghost Prep teams received a Regional Outstanding Rating.

The Class of 2009, numbering 117, receives record $18 million in scholarships and financial aid from numeours Colleges and Universities. HGP begins a year-long celebration of its 50th Anniversary of the Prep School and 100th Anniversary of the dedication of the Chapel. The celebration began with the Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, September 12, 2009. More than 1,300 alumni, parents and friends gather for the Red Mass celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and later attend the Homecoming Festival and Alumni Cocktail Reception.