Ep 3.27: Building the Catholic Mind: The Rise of St. Louis’ High Schools

In this episode, Monsignor takes us into the formative years of Catholic secondary education in St. Louis—a story far richer and more complex than most realize. At the turn of the 20th century, high school was still a rarity, and Catholic options for boys were almost nonexistent. We follow Archbishop Glennon’s ambitious push to change that landscape, the creation of the first archdiocesan high schools, and the surprising challenges that came with convincing families and pastors to support them. From the founding of Rosati-Kain and McBride to the dramatic fire that reshaped Christian Brothers College, this episode traces how religious orders, immigrant communities, and determined clergy built the network of Catholic high schools that would shape generations of St. Louisans. It’s a story of vision, grit, and the unmistakable Catholic commitment to education.