History

Catholic Memorial High School was founded out of the dream of visionaries in the Waukesha County area. In the early 1920's, the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish raised funds of $10,000 for a future high school. Their goal of providing a high quality Catholic education for the area's youth remained strong and unwavering--not even the great Depression could shake their determination.

This fervent hope became reality in 1949 when CMH opened its doors as a parochial school for St. Joseph Parish in Waukesha. Ninety-seven freshmen started attending classes in September of that year. The school was named in gratitude as a memorial to the 23 young men of St. Joseph's who gave their lives for their country in WWII. Later, the dedication of the school was extended to include all graduates of Catholic Memorial who have died in service to their country. When the doors of the school opened, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc were here and opened their hearts to the community. For more than 50 years, CMH relied on their constant service, tremendous presence, and considerable care. The Sisters left CMH in June of 2002.

The growth and vitality of CMH soon resulted in the school's serving as the first home of a new parish in Waukesha, St. Mary's. The parish even held its first Masses at CMH. During the first ten years of its existence, enrollment at CMH grew to more than 500 (the stated capacity of the original building). In 1959, it became an Archdiocesan Catholic high school for the parishes of Waukesha County. An addition was completed for use beginning in September 1961 which included more classrooms, a cafeteria, and the first gym. Six years later, the chapel, library, and theater were added. These two projects spoke to all the needs of the developing student: spiritual, academic, physical, and social. Phase I of another addition was completed in 1991. This new wing at the southwest corner of the building houses science, art, math, and foreign language facilities. In 1993, a gift from a will make by Stephen Weber more than 40 years earlier was given to the school. [This gift remains the school's largest donation. Subsequently, the original 1961 gym was named to honor Stephen's mother, Julia Weber.] Phase II was started in 1997 and completed in 1998. This included the new InPro Athletic Center, named after the company of a generous donor. This phase also included needed repairs on the original building, two computer labs, and a renovated theater. During this effort, the theater's stage was named "The Grasch Family Stage," in gratitude for a generous gift.

Throughout its history, the school's mission of educating the whole person has remained constant and unshakable. CMH provides young people with an academically strong education, a firm Catholic foundation, and an awareness of their own self-worth and that of others.

Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms of Catholic Memorial High School is a shield divided into quadrants on which are emblazoned the words "Caritas in Omnibus," the school motto. The upper left quadrant contains the school monogram, CM, symbolic of the student body. An altar with the incense of sacrifice rising to heaven in the upper right quadrant symbolizes the generous offerings of the many who made the existence of Catholic Memorial a reality. The crossed hands of Christ and St. Francis, the Franciscan Coat of Arms, occupies the lower left quadrant and represents the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity who served the school from 1949 to 2002. The dedication of the school as a living memorial to those who gave their lives for their country is signified by the bugle and Flanders Field in the lower right quadrant.

Motto

"Caritas in Omnibus," which means "Charity in all things," was adopted from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Team Name

The name "Crusaders" was first used for Catholic Memorial students by a former sports editor of The Waukesha Freeman. The definition, "those who fight for a just cause," fits with the school's dedication as a living memorial. The name continues to be used for Catholic Memorial's teams. The title of the yearbook, The Knight, is related to the Crusader name.

Flowers

The school flower is the poppy, the flower universally recognized as representative of those who died in World Wars.

Colors

Royal blue and gold are the colors of Catholic Memorial. Blue is the color symbolic of loyalty, the virtue of crusaders and soldiers. It is also the color of Our Lady, under whose patronage the school has been placed. Gold, the color of the papacy, is a reminder that Catholic Memorial is a Catholic high school belonging to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.