History

Welcome to the section of our website devoted to the history of our proud institution.

Milwaukee's first archbishop, Archbishop John M. Henni, made the decision to open a Jesuit college in his quickly growing city. The Jesuits converted the rectory of St. Gall's parish, which stood at what now is the corner of Third and Michigan, into a two classroom school, and in September of 1857, classes began in the forerunner to Marquette University High School. The two teachers, Fr. Stanislaus Lalumiere, S.J. and Cornelius O'Brien, a scholastic, had the daunting task of providing a faith based education to fifty students, ranging in age from six to twenty-five. This was truly a humble beginning.

In 1864…

The old rectory that had been turned into schoolhouse was replaced by a larger brick structure and renamed St. Gall after the patron of the parish in which the school was located. As Wisconsin boys sometimes as young as 14 left to fight on the battlefields of Cold Harbor and march toward the sea with General Sherman, the Jesuits continued their own battle to root the faith more deeply in the hearts of Milwaukee's Catholics.

In 1881…

Fr. Peter DeSmet, the famous missionary to the American Indians, secured the block bound by 10th and 11th and Highland and State. The property was a hill that overlooked downtown Milwaukee, leading to the beloved nickname of "the Hilltoppers". At its beginning, what would later be divided into Marquette University High School and Marquette University coexisted as Marquette Academy.






In 1900…

The turn of the century found the curriculum and student body at the academy continuing to grow. For most clubs and sports, participation was open to students of all ages. Although most members of the varsity teams were of college age, if one of the younger student's talents were good enough he was able to earn a place on a team. The picture to the right shows members of the 1900 football team. Despite the lack of helmets, pads, or uniforms, the players are dressed as they would have played in a game. Notice the apparatus hanging around some of their necks. This piece of equipment protected their noses and mouths.

In 1902…

Signs were increasing that what would later become the college and high school were heading for a split. The course catalogue of 1902 divided the college curriculum from the high school's. Also this year, two organizations were initiated that were only open to the high school aged students, the Academy Sodality and the Academy League of the Sacred Heart.

In 1906…

Although both were still under the capable leadership of the Jesuits, Marquette Academy and Marquette College were separated for their mutual benefit. The College moved to their current location and classes opened in a new building named "Johnston Hall". The academy remained at its location of 10th and State. Also at this point, the academy expanded its curriculum from a three year program to a four year one. It had been fifty years since the Jesuits opened the door of St. Aloysius, and in this time, Jesuit education in Milwaukee had grown from a two room school house to a thriving high school and university.

In 1907…

The first athletic team at Marquette made up of only high school students took the field. It was captained by Newman Welch and coached by Mr. James Gillick.

In 1908…

On May 15th the Prep Players put on their first performance. The play was "King Robert of Sicily", written by the club's moderator, Fr. John Copus, S.J., and performed at the Pabst Theater.

In 1915…

The Academy debated against St. Ignatius in Chicago at the school's first interscholastic debate competition.

In 1925…

Fr. Albert Fox, S.J., president of Marquette University, broke ground for a new and larger Marquette University High School on the site of the former Merrill estate at 35th and Wisconsin. The three story new building allowed the school to double its enrollment, and the updated facilities helped the school better educate students in a quickly changing scientific world.

In 1937…

Dorothy Day, then editor of the Catholic Worker, addressed the students at an assembly on May 25. The student newspaper of that month reported that she "spoke on Communism and Catholicism, and showed how the Catholics were at fault in most cases and how their failure to act had caused the radical reactions of the Communists."

In 1945…

WWII was waging in Europe and American forces had landed at Normandy. As with most in the US, the war was on the minds of the MUHS community. The 1945 yearbook made numerous references to the war effort. A yearbook advertisement from the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council offered "A salute to the boys of Marquette High School who are serving their country so well, wherever they may be facing the enemy may Divine Protection watch over them and bring them safely home. And to you young men to whom the close of this school year means entering the armed services, we wish you the best of luck and Godspeed."

In 1953…

One of MUHS' most dominating basketball teams took the court. Ranked 2nd in the country among parochial schools, the team averaged 70 points a game, with their opponents only averaging 46. Six of the team's players went on to play basketball in college. They finished the season state champions, with an impressive 26-1 record.

In 1961…

MUHS was growing again. Although the third floor gym was the place of many fond memories, the growing MUHS athletic program needed more space. So, construction began on the addition of Marquette University High School's current gym and cafeteria.

In 1969…

Only 8 years after completing the gym addition, MUHS was again under construction. In order to allow Marquette to keep up with its growing enrollment, a fourth floor was added to the school. However, as a result of the addition, the formally two story chapel on the third floor was reduced to one story.