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Holy Trinity Catholic School is was formed in 2019 as the inter-parochial school of St. Joseph - Dallastown and St. Patrick. In 2023, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (St. Mary's) joined Holy Trinity as well. The facilities are located at St. Patrick Parish.
St. Joseph Catholic School Dallastown
St. Joseph Catholic School in Dallastown was the vision of Father Patrick McGee upon his arrival at our parish in 1922. With a very generous donation from Father Charles Koch of $8,000, the task of gathering funds to build the school began. The vision became a reality in 1927 when the doors were open to the children of the parish. Since that time we were blessed to have many vocations come from our parish school, religious sisters, and two priests, Father Daniel Mitzel who was ordained in 1981 and Father Mark Wilke who was ordained in 2013.
The Most Reverend Philip R McDevitt, D.D., Bishop of Harrisburg, dedicated the school on August 22, 1927. Father McGee secured the Sisters of St. Francis from Glen Riddle, PA to become the teaching staff. The first day of school was September 6, 1927. The Sisters of St. Francis served the school for 63 years until the order left the school in 1990. The last Sister of St. Francis who served as principal was Sister Lydia Etter.
Since 1990 the school has been served by lay Catholic principals starting with Donna Power who served from 1990 to 1993. Miss Donna Philipps served as principal from 1993-2003. Mrs. Bernadette Snook served as principal from 2003 to 2005. Mrs. Peggy Snyder served as principal from 2005 to 2019 before accepting the role as the first vice principal of Holy Trinity Catholic School.
The faculty consisted of many veteran teachers committed to Catholic education. The students and their families loved our school and saw the value a Catholic education had on their children. In addition to the excellent academic education the children received, many extra activities were offered to enhance the education the children received in the parish school. These activities included, sports, vocal music, instrumental music, Envirothon, Math 24, Little Flowers Girls’ Club and more.
The school earned Middles States Accreditation through the Middle States Accreditation Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools during the 2016-2017 school year.
The school completed its 91st year as a parish school. We are sad to leave our campus; however, we are excited to continue our school on a new campus and merge with St. Patrick Catholic School forming a new school, Holy Trinity Catholic School in York!
The mission statement: St. Joseph Catholic School in Dallastown educates the whole child in a faith community. All students are encouraged and nurtured to develop to their fullest potential, spiritually, academically, and emotionally, was stated each day during morning prayers. We are so proud of the accomplishments our students have made within our school. Our future looks bright as we, St. Patrick and St. Joseph Catholic Schools, together support and sustain Catholic education in York!
St. Patrick Catholic School
Saint Patrick Catholic School was founded in 1851 by Father Michael F. Martin after purchasing a remodeled dwelling adjoining the north side of Saint Patrick Church and staffed with lay teachers. The Sisters of Charity from Mount Saint Vincent, New York came in 1875 to take charge of the school remaining until 1934. At that time the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary assumed this duty until 2005. The current school building was constructed in 1886 with an addition built alongside it in 1964 and represents both physical and spiritual extensions of the church. While the solid brick walls of the school have remained constant, the hallways and classrooms have embraced change for 167 years.Prior to 1960, students were taught in “double classrooms,” meaning two grades per room. They would sit at double desks and were taught by the Sisters of Charity. The sisters would use clickers when giving directions: one click meant stand up, two clicks meant sit, and three clicks meant genuflect. In 1934 the Sisters of Charity were recalled to New York and replaced by the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who maintained a presence in the school until ????
Classrooms were located on the first floor; the library and a spare room were located on the second floor. Today’s cafeteria was a dirt-floored passageway used for storage. Students either went home for lunch or brought a sandwich to eat in the classroom.
The basement was formerly known as “the tunnel.” During World War II, it was a designated air raid shelter for the community. The tunnel and basement were excavated during the 1960s, allowing for the cafeteria to be built.
Dress code requirements did not include uniforms. Girls wore dresses and boys wore any colored shirt, a tie and pants.
The school and parish parking lot, formerly known as “Potter’s Field,” was a revolutionary war gravesite. The field was lined with trees, providing shade for school students who could often be found eating their lunches while reclining against the tombstones. In 1898 city council assumed ownership of the field and used the location to build York High School. In later years the school functioned as Hannah Penn Junior High School until its abandonment in 1964, allowing Saint Patrick Church to purchase the property.
Rev. Msgr. Thomas R. Brenner, pastor of St. Patrick’s from 1981 to 1995, played a vital role in the school. Exemplifying his strong belief in the value of Catholic education, Msgr. Brenner continues to support the educational needs of St. Patrick Parish through the Msgr. Brenner Fund, established in 1995.
Saint Patrick Catholic School is committed to meeting the spiritual and educational needs of each child. Academics, and the way in which we teach them, are forever changing. The Catholic faith, its teachings and practices, will remain steadfast. As we bid farewell to Saint Patrick Catholic School and unite with Saint Joseph School Dallastown to become Holy Trinity Catholic School, our Catholic faith remains strong and will be our guide.