Benilde St Margarets School - Sangraal / Benilden Yearbook (St Louis Park, MN)

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THE BIG JOB - WINTER

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BENILDE, FROM VISION TO VICTORY It was in early 1952 that the pressing need for a new Catholic boy’s high school in the Minneapolis area became apparent to Brother J. Marie, then the Director of De La Salle High School. Brother Marie’s vision began to take shape through a number of organizational conferences with zealous laymen who recognized the serious situation. There had been previous efforts to found such a school, but these had ended in failure, mainly because there were not enough teachers available to staff a new school. In spite of an even greater need by 1952. it was touch and go whether a new school could be built in the face of such a critical shortage of teachers. Finally, after obtaining the late Archbishop Murray's permission and financial support — if teachers could be found — Brother I. Philip. Visitor of the St. Louis Province, consented to supply the new school with teachers. The first hurdle was cleared! The second, money for construction, was taken care of by a parish-to-parish Building Fund Drive, the generosity of Archbishop Murray and later, that of Archbishop Brady. With construction beginning in the winter of 1955. Benilde threw open its doors in September. 1956. to its first students, about 325 freshmen and sophomores. With the opening in the Fall of 1958 of the new senior wing, Benilde's original sophomores, now seniors, become the first graduating class of the new school. Thus Benilde begins to serve its basic purpose, preparing boys to live as Christian men. The vision of 1952 is now the victory of 1959! Page 11

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7. ’55 TO SUMMER ’56 TAKE FORM Orderly confusion. Walls rise above the earth. A new addition to the skyline.