Sign into this site  
replaced with flash

History

Central Catholic High School is located in Reading, Pennsylvania on the site of what used to be the Luden's Mansion. (Luden's Cough Drops.) Central is a Catholic High School in the Allentown Diocese. Please take the time to read why Central was started, as well as the complete history of the school located below.


Central Catholic High School was founded...

  1. To form a person of character through the proper formation of the will, development of worthy ideals, acquisition of correct habits, control of the emotions and the acquisition of moral integrity.

  2. To develop personality through the practice of Christian values by encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

  3. To promote Christian Service to the school, home, Church, and community.

  4. To help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for successful personal and family living.

  5. To develop a proper respect for the body, one's self-image, and the inseparable relationship between body and soul.

  6. To prepare students to assume their role in family, parochial, social, economic, and civil life in light of Christian ideals.

  7. To offer the students direction toward the attainment of their vocational strengths and choice for future life.

  8. To develop a sensitivity toward cultural and aesthetic values through curricular and extracurricular activities.

  9. To provide a religious and intellectual environment that will stimulate a desire for virtue and scholarship.

History of the School
1927 – St. Paul’s Parish School adds a two-year Commercial Course

1939 – Rev. William Hammeke purchases the "Bon Air" Mansion of William H. Luden, candy manufacturer

1940 – Berks County’s first centralized Catholic high school includes 75 students with Rev. Charles Allwein as the first principal; three Sisters of Christian Charity (SCC) and two priests form the first faculty

1941 – Gym, cafe and nine classrooms are added to the Luden building

1946 – Additional classrooms are added

1947 – First evaluation and accreditation by Middle States. Land for stadium purchased in St. Lawrence

1948 – Opening of the stadium in St. Lawrence

1952 – Rev. Raymond J. Leichner becomes second principal

1957 – Second Middle States accreditation. Convent built for the SCCs

1961 – Diocese of Allentown created from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

1964 – Rev. William P. Hoffner becomes third principal. CCHS divided to form a new Catholic high school across the Schuylkill River

1964-68 – Renovations begin at Central. Annex (at St. Mary’s) was closed. Reorganization of CCHS and HNHS is established

1968 – Rev. Joseph J. Morrell becomes fourth principal. New student chapel, faculty room relocation of office work area.

1969 – Third Middle States accreditation. Stadium renovations: new bleachers

1974 – New stage, multipurpose room, storage rooms, TV room added

1975 – Mr. Vincent T. Shemanski becomes the fifth principal

1976-77 – New multi-purpose athletic field at the stadium. Bleacher capacity and parking lot increased at stadium

1977-78 – Faculty parking lot constructed

1980 – Stadium- aluminum seat boards installed in grandstands

1982 – New Computer Room established

1983 – Stadium – new garage constructed

1984 – Stadium- aluminum footboards installed in grandstands

1986-87 – Additions to School Building: Physical Fitness Room Audio-Visual Room, Guidance Suite, Teacher’s Lounge, Storage Room, Accounting/Student Services Computer System installed

1987 – New sound system installed in the gym

1987-88 – Office of Alumni and Development established

1988-89 – Creation of CCHS Advisory Board; Second Computer Room added; Guidance Computer System installed

1989-90 – 50

thAnniversary of CCHS. Fifth Middle States Accreditation; Annual Giving Campaign initiated

1990-91 – Mr. Shemanski receives Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Papal Honor; Student Assistance Program established; renewed energy plan and system; Alumni Association established; Peer Listeners organized

1992-93 – New computer system for Student Services/Accounting

1993 – Distinguished Alumni Award established

1995 – New Computer Lab added

1996 – New Biology/Chemistry Lab added

1997-98 – New Computer Resource Room added

1998 – Computer Internet services added; Computerization of Library; new roof installed on Luden mansion, 250th anniversary celebration of City of Reading

1999-2000 – Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian is named CCHS’s sixth principal; Sixth Middle States Accreditation, Renovations of Administrative and Main Offices

2000-2001 – School dedicated under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception, Blessing of Immaculate Conception icon, Catholic Schools of Berks County Pep Rally at Alvernia College, Completion of Computer Resource room in Library

2001-2002 – Mr. Thomas P. Mirabella, M.Ed. is named CCHS’s seventh principal. Sister Jonathan Moyles, SCC, returns to CCHS as Assistant Principal. Mr. Philip J. Fromuth, graduate of CCHS, named Superintendent of Schools in the Allentown Diocese. Memorial tree planted and services held for victims and families of September 11 tragedy. Complete installation of fiber optics throughout the school. 250th anniversary celebration of Berks County.

2003-2004 – Feasibility study conducted to determine future needs at Central Catholic High School.

2004-2005 – Bishop Cullen approves/announces construction of a new Central Catholic High School.

2005-2006 – Initial architectural design and construction planning begins.

2007-2008 – Architectural design of the new building is completed.

2009-2010 - Mrs. Joanne V. Heintz is appointed CCHS’s eighth principal.