About ARHS :: History - From St. James to
Archbishop Riordan HS
Archbishop Patrick William Riordan
Archbishop Riordan High School was opened
in September of 1949 and was entrusted to the direction of the Society of Mary
(The Marianists). The Society of Mary is an international religious congregation
of men in the service of the Catholic Church.
The Society was founded by Father
William Joseph Chaminade in 1817 at Bordeaux, France. This society has a unique
characteristic in the Church. It's members -- Brothers and priests, teachers and
non-teachers -- belong to it on a plane of absolute equality; there are
differences in function, but none of rank, privilege, or prerogative.
Education
is the principal work of the Society, though a large number of religious are in
other works of the apostolate such as preaching, parish work, orphanages,
missions, and directing lay apostolate groups.
The Early Years - St. James Boys School
The Brothers of Mary (Marianists) were invited
to California in 1884 by Archbishop Patrick
Riordan whom among his many accomplishments were
the building of St. Mary's Cathedral and St.
Patrick's seminary in Menlo Park. His
devotion to Christ and the people of San
Francisco was evident in a speech he gave to the
people of San Francisco following the 1906
earthquake.
"We shall rebuild. I am a citizen of no mean city,
although it is in ashes. Almighty God has fixed this as the
location of a great city. The past is gone, and there is no
lamenting over it. Let us look to the future and without regard
to creed or place of birth, work together in harmony for the up
building of a greater San Francisco."
In the summer of 1886, five Marianists from
Saint Mary's Stockton began the many years of service in San Francisco. At St.
Joseph's Parish, in the downtown district of the City, they began a grammar
school for boys. In 1906, the Brothers opened a high school department at Saint
James in temporary quarters while also conducting Saint James Grammar School in
the Mission District.
"The Brickpile", St. James School at 23rd & Fair Oaks
In April of 1906, St. James Boys School (affectionately known
as "The Brickpile" opened at 23rd and Fair Oaks Streets. The girls were taught
by the Dominican Sisters at Immaculate Conception Academy.
Soon the enrollment reached 223 boys with a staff of seven Brothers. In
1918, they celebrated the Centennial of the founding of the Society of Mary by
Father William Joseph Chaminade. During the influenza epidemic of the same
year, the Brothers assisted the Daughters of Charity caring for the sick at
Mary's Help Hospital. Starting in 1920 a high school program was added to
the school a year at a time with the first graduation in 1924.
A tribute to the Brothers appeared in the May 17, 1930 issue of the Monitor:
"St. James School has been the most liberal in directing vocations to the
diocesan seminary and to other religious orders. Many of the priests in
this archdiocese who are most successful are proud to count themselves as
alumni of St. James. Great credit for this truly flowering of our
youth is due to the untiring labors of the Brothers of Mary. It is the
unanimous opinion of the various seminary authorities that the boys of St. James
come to them well-ground in the elements of education and with dispositions of
mind and character which make them readily amenable to the strict requirements
of seminary life."
1949: Archbishop Riordan High School Opens
Riordan High School Under Construction, 1948
With the increasing demands for another and still larger boys
high school in San Francisco, the Marianists closed the high school department
at Saint James in 1949 and moved to the newly constructed Archbishop Riordan
High School, a monument to the memory of Archbishop Patrick William Riordan,
D.D., second Archbishop of San Francisco, 1884-1914.
In the years since, Archbishop Riordan High School has educated and graduated
more than 8,000 young men - many continuing on to the nations finest
universities and eventually assuming prominent roles in their communities
and the lives of many others.
Archbishop Riordan Presidents:
* Father Thomas J. French, S.M., 2004 -
2010
* Mr. Patrick W. Daly 2011 - Present
Archbishop Riordan Principals:
* Brother John McCluskey, S.M., M.A.
1949 - 1952
* Father Paul G. Kelley, S.M., M.A. 1952 - 1955
* Brother Maurice W. Miller, S.M., M.A. 1955 - 1961
* Brother Herman J. Gerber, S.M., M.A. 1961 - 1965
* Brother Maurice W. Miller, S.M., M.A. 1965 - 1966
* Brother Harold R. Hammond, S.M., M.A. 1966 - 1969
* Father John E. McEnhill, S.M., M.A. 1969 - 1976
* Brother John J. Haster, S.M., M.A. 1976 - 1985
* Father William A. O'Connell, S.M., M.A. 1985 - 1992
* Father Timothy M. Kenney, S.M., M.A., M.Div. 1992 - 2001
* Brother James Dods, S.M. 2001 - 2003
* Mr. Gabriel Crotti 2004 - 2007
* Mr. Kevin Asbra 2008 - Present