Catholic Diocese of Memphis
By Beth Simkanin
Photography by Gragg Higginbotham
In late spring, St. Paul Catholic School in the Memphis community of Whitehaven broke ground on a 21,000 square-foot building expansion and renovation project, part of its $18 million “Forward in Faith” capital campaign to enhance and expand its school offerings.
The project encompasses a new 12,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art, early childhood center, two new playgrounds and two STEM labs totaling 9,000 square-feet. Renovations to the existing school include updating classrooms, the school’s dining hall, teacher’s lounge, chapel and convent where five Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia currently reside.
According to Sister Mary Lawrence Wright, OP, Principal of St. Paul Catholic School, the expansion and renovation project will enhance the school’s academic curriculum and STEM programming. Additionally, the school will be able to increase its enrollment once the expansion is complete, which is expected to be in August next year. Currently, 330 students are enrolled at the school.
“The last building on the school’s campus was built in the 1960s,” said Frank Gattuso, Director of Advancement for St. Paul. “After the expansion is complete, we will be able to accept 450 students. The plan is to add two classes per grade.”
According to Gattuso, the capital campaign will also cover teacher endowments and the Archbishop J. Peter Sartain Scholarship Endowment Fund, which is for student scholarships. The scholarship fund is named after Archbishop Sartain, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Seattle, who served as a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis for more than two decades. He is a St. Paul alumnus and his mother, Catherine, was the school secretary for more than 30 years. Currently, half of the $1 million scholarship endowment has been raised.
The project was made possible by support from St. Paul Catholic School alumni and charitable grants from the Day Foundation, the Assisi Foundation of Memphis, and the Speer Charitable Trust to name a few. The capital campaign launched in January 2023, and so far, $14 million of the $18 million has been raised.
“Catholic schools exist to evangelize and for our students to encounter Jesus Christ,” Sister Mary Lawrence said. “It’s a gift and our mission to educate the whole child at St. Paul. I’m thankful to the many supporters who are committed to that mission.”
The school’s “Forward in Faith” groundbreaking ceremony, which took place in late April, marked the beginning of the construction phase of the campaign. Hundreds of alumni, clergy, teachers, students, community leaders and donors attended the public event to celebrate.
“Boy and girls, this is for you,” said Sister Mary Lawrence to St. Paul students during the groundbreaking event. “We are gathered here together for you because we love you, because we believe in you and because you are worth all of our efforts to provide for you a quality education.”
Omari Thomas, St. Paul alumnus and defensive tackle from the University of Tennessee, who recently signed with the New Orleans Saints, attended the groundbreaking celebration with his family. His sister attended St. Paul and his mother is a longtime employee of the school.
“I’m so blessed to be here and be a part of this celebration,” he said. “I learned to play football and kickball out on the field at St. Paul. I have good memories of going to class here and the wonderful teachers who taught me. I’m glad so many people have come together today to support this beautiful place in Whitehaven.”
Ethan Rubio, a recent eighth-grade graduate and former Student Council President, told the crowd how St. Paul has made a difference in his young life.
“This school has meant so much to me and has made me into the person I am today,” Rubio said. “There is a strong sense of community here and there are countless opportunities to grow in faith. I have learned leadership skills, how to play sports and made lifelong friendships.”
St. Paul Catholic School was founded in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of St. Cecilia took over the operation of the school in 1965. Currently, three Sisters work in administration and/or teach in the school. St. Paul provides a vibrant, culturally rich, Christ-centered environment to ensure the spiritual, social and intellectual growth of each student from pre-K through eighth grade. The goal of the school is to prepare students to be faith-filled, academically confident, and service-oriented leaders in the Church and the world.
St. Paul students excel in academics, fine arts, athletics and Christian service. One of the school’s biggest strengths is diversity. More than 60 percent of the students are Black, 20 percent are Hispanic and 20 percent of students are part of the Irish Traveler community. A rich variety of cultures can be found on campus.
According to Gattuso, St. Paul is blessed to have active alumni who are dedicated to the long-term success of St. Paul.
“Our alumni are vital to the success of St. Paul,” he said. “They are enthusiastic and are committed to the continued success of St. Paul in Whitehaven. They have tremendous love for the school and church and want to see the school succeed for many years to come.”
For more information on St. Paul Catholic School go to stpaulschoolmemphis.com.
