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About Serra » History

History

Serra Catholic High School logo
 
Serra Catholic High School was founded in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on September 5th, 1961, within the Diocese of Pittsburgh, with an initial enrollment of 89 young men. Serra was named after Father Junipero Serra, O.F.M., Franciscan founder of 22 mission churches in California. The Franciscan Order of Friars Minor of the Province of the Immaculate Conception administered the school from 1961 through 2000, and the Franciscans Third Order Regular assumed leadership from 2000 through 2004. Serra served only young men until 1972, when the decision was made to merge Mon Yough Catholic High School with Serra to create a coeducational institution.
 
In 2007, Serra became a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation under the direction of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. At that time, we gained a dedicated Board of Directors whose wisdom and guidance will help ensure Serra’s future for the next half century. Serra continues to thrive with students who represent virtually every socioeconomic level.

A Few Facts About Serra Catholic High School

  • Named after St. Junipero Serra, O.F.M. known as the “Apostle of California.”
  • Founded September 5, 1961, by the Most Reverend John J. Wright, Bishop of Pittsburgh.
  • The Friars of the Province of the Immaculate Conception, O.F.M. were chosen by Bishop Wright as the first administrators and teachers.
  • First located in the Holy Trinity Parish School in Downtown McKeesport.
  • Cornerstone of the current building was laid September 13, 1963.
  • Serra Catholic High School originated as an all-boys school.
  • The first graduating class of 96 Serra Men graduated on June 7, 1965.
  • The Serra colors are Red and Gold-Red symbolizing the Love of God for humanity through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and Gold symbolizing the nobility of Christ who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
  • The Serra Emblem and Mascot is the Eagle-In ecclesiastical art the eagle represent the Evangelist John the Apostle, who emphasizes the Divinity of Christ while the eagle itself is a creature which soars to sublime heights
  • The Serra Motto: Amor a Dios, (Love of God) is the greeting used by Fray Junipero Serra when greeting the native Americans in California. The motto also serves to remind all Serra students to reflect the love of God Who is Love and in Whose Love we are to abide.
  • Our seal reflects the elements of a Franciscan education: The dominant feature is the Cross on which Christ obtained our salvation; the eagle with outstretched talons challenges all Serra students to defy those things which would prevent us from loving God; the cincture representing the Franciscan Friars who originally staffed the school and the knots representing their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience; the school motto Amor a Dios; and the Franciscan Latin Motto, Pax et Bonum (Peace and Goodness), which reminds Serra students of their obligation to be instruments of peace in sowing good will among their neighbors.
  • The Coat of Arms was later designed by Sr. Mary Roberta Swarczkopf, a Sister of the Divine Redeemer. The central theme of the emblem is the TAU, the Franciscan Cross.  On either side of the vertical bar one will find a juniper tree and a saw. The juniper tree is an obvious representation of St. Serra’s first name, Junipero, and saw is serra in Spanish. At the bottom of the TAU are two lines forming an upside-down “V” and a flame which rests upon the highest point.  These symbols represent the school itself, built on Haler Heights in McKeesport and the flame represents the flame of knowledge, or if one wants to carry it a little further, the tongue of fire which settled upon the heads of the Apostles on Pentecost.