Text by Evangeline Hussey
Images from John Bapst Memorial High School
The origins of John Bapst High School are traced to the mid-1920s. Overcrowding at St. John’s School and Bangor Catholic High School for Girls inspired local pastors Rev. Thomas J. Nelligan of St. John’s parish and Rev. Timothy H. Houlihan of St. Mary’s parish to consider building a larger high school to meet their expanding needs.
In 1926, plans were finalized for the construction of the new parochial high school, and its construction took place over the next two years. O'Connell and Shaw of Boston were selected as the architects, McPherson and Barrows of Bangor laid the foundation, and the Richard Kennedy Company of Portland constructed the building.
The new Catholic high school on Broadway in Bangor, was dedicated on September 8, 1928, to the memory of the 19th century Swiss Jesuit priest and missionary in Maine, Father John Bapst, S.J. The name "John Bapst" was suggested by Monsignor Nelligan and Father Houlihan as a "tribute in recognition of the great works of the pioneering priest" (Merchants National Bank of Bangor, 1955).
Early newspaper accounts described John Bapst High School as "a creation of architectural beauty" with "one of the largest auditoriums in eastern Maine."
Originally constructed at a cost of $800,000 and operated under the auspices of St. John's and St. Mary's Catholic Churches as a Catholic high school for both boys and girls, John Bapst High School welcomed its first students on September 9, 1928.
The school was described in a 1928 Bangor newspaper as follows:
"The front, facing Broadway and finished in variegated Indiana limestone columns, extend from the first floor to the cornice, giving an historic and classical touch. Three great arch entrances are in the center, and over the middle of these an elevated cartouche holds the carved figure of Father John Bapst, for whom the school was named. He stands in his priestly garment, cassock and stole; his arms folded across his chest looking at the world below, as though bidding its young to gain an education in his name."
The article continued, "The side and rear walls of the exterior are of variegated buff tapestry brick. Great, birdlike wings extend on either side, allowing a maximum quantity of light."
The article went on to describe other aspects of the building and its construction. Nearly 70 sub-contractors were employed, and it was noted that construction was "in compliance with the Massachusetts school building regulations, with particular emphasis placed on the fire-proof features, relative to partitions, floor construction, and exits." Other unique features included a grid flat slab system used in the ceilings and floors that were arranged in a cubic effect to provide greater acoustics in classrooms, better deflection of heat, and diffusion of light than in ordinary ceilings of that time.
The article also noted that the interior woodwork finish was done in oak, and the floors were of "selected birch – with the exception of the library, which is of quartered oak." The library was also finished with oak paneling and unique oak trim work.
The three front entrances were done in bronzed, wrought iron doors with ornamental lanterns hung on each side. The foyer was finished in Indiana limestone, and staircases leading from the foyer to the auditorium were constructed of Vermont slate.
Four Renaissance-style lighting fixtures were hung from the auditorium ceiling. The auditorium also contained a stage, "set in by a flat proscenium arch, and richly decorated with ornamental stucco work." At one time, in the rear of the balcony, was a large projection room used to show "moving pictures of both educational and entertainment value."
The Very Rev. Msgr. Thomas M. Nelligan, Old Town, ca. 1960
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John Bapst Memorial High School
Until 1969, John Bapst High School was basically run as two separate schools with girls attending classes on the south side of the building and boys on the north of the building.
Mother Mary Raphael of the Sisters of Mercy was the first principal of the girls' division, and Reverend Edward M. Shannon was first principal of the boys' division, followed by Rev. Thomas M. Nelligan in 1929. In 1933 the Xaverian Brothers assumed the teaching responsibilities of the boy's division with Brother Adalbert as principal.
In 1929, its first class of twenty-nine girls was graduated. Although forty boys were admitted to the school in 1928, none were part of the senior class.
Around 1940, an interesting anecdote was recounted by Miss Mary Nelligan for the "Historical Sketch" compiled by a Study Club of the Bangor District of the Maine Council of Catholic Women. Miss Nelligan wrote that a lot on the corner of Broadway and Somerset streets had been purchased for construction of a church in the 1850s, but due to some opposition expressed by neighborhood residents of the Protestant faith, Father Bapst sold the Broadway site, and St. John's Church, which would have been on Broadway, was erected on York Street instead. Miss Nelligan explained that after many years, the same Broadway lot was purchased again, and "our magnificent John Bapst High School was erected there."
Joseph Sekera, John Bapst principal, Bangor, ca. 1975
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John Bapst Memorial High School
Over the next four decades, the school achieved a fine reputation, both in academics and in sports, and enjoyed the vigorous support of its alumni.
Athletic milestones during its Catholic tenure included the 1976 Class C State Championship Football season.
In June 1980, as a result of declining enrollment, the Bishop of Portland came to a difficult decision: It was time to close the Catholic school. Fortunately, through the efforts of its faculty, administration, and four incorporators -- Earle Edwin Hannigan, William Alexander Lindsay, John Francis Xavier MacKay, and Joseph Walter Sekera -- the school was reorganized that summer, and in the fall of 1980 the historical landmark building at 100 Broadway, Bangor, Maine, reopened as John Bapst Memorial High School, a non-sectarian, private, coeducational, college preparatory secondary school.
In the decades since, it has become known as one of the finest high schools in New England.
