The Great Depression and the 1936 FloodThe Great Depression hit everyone in Johnstown. Many, completely destitute, were without both shelter and food. Others, a little more fortunate, had a roof over their head, but nothing much to eat. Those lucky ones with food on their table had not even scraps to spare. Of course, no one had money. A popular song of the day lamented, “Brother, can you spare a dime?” However, it was a time when Johnstowners helped each other survive. This remembrance typifies that great American spirit which helped Johnstown survive the Depression. And at Catholic High, Fr. Thomas Cawley would not permit boys to take commercial classes.
As if that was not enough, then came the 1936 Flood. The second disastrous flood struck on March 17, 1936, causing property loss of over $50M. Melting snow and ice from the surrounding hills and a steady rain caused a gradual rise of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek rivers that rose to 18” in an hour.
When the swollen rivers started overflowing their banks onto the streets, a general flood warning was issued at 3:00 p.m. As the water rapidly rose, the Valley Pike became part of the widened river. Before long, Catholic High was under water as was all of Johnstown. The flood reached its peak at midnight and thereafter receded. Water was at a height of 14’ at the public safety building. Recovering from the aftermath of the flood took a long time. Nonetheless, Catholic High celebrated its first Mass in the school.
The Greatest Generation
World War II left its mark on Johnstown Catholic as it did the rest of the nation. The student body constructed an Honor Roll in front of the school depicting the names of their schoolmates who had left to serve our nation in the armed forces. Some were members of the Class of 1943 whose graduation was postponed due to their draft notices. The 1945 yearbook listed the first KIAs (killed in action) and the Class of 1946 dedicated its yearbook to the 29 students who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of God and country. On May 8, 1945, the war was over.
Post WWIIOn February 1, 1951, Fr. Cawley tendered his letter of retirement and assumed the pastorate of Visitation Parish. Fr. O’Leary also left for an assignment to Our Lady of Victory Chapel in State College. Fr. Linford F. Greinador took the reins as the new principal to begin a new era of growth and achievement.

When Bishop Richard Thomas Guilfoyle died on June 10, 1957, he was succeeded by Bishop Howard Joseph Carroll. Bishop Carroll set forth a Diocesan Development Plan that included expansion of the Johnstown Catholic High School building to address the needs of an increasing student and faculty population. Another successful fundraising campaign raised the necessary capital for the expanded wing to the original building that would accommodate 1,500 students in grades 9-12. Special designs were made to the architectural plans for the science, commercial, and music departments as well as a permanent chapel for the school community to celebrate the Eucharist. Construction began in 1960 despite the death of Bishop Carroll on March 21, 1960. Bishop Joseph Carroll McCormick was appointed on June 25, 1960.
The Turbulent ‘60sDespite the national turmoil of the ‘60s, Bishop McCort High School remained a constant in the lives of its students and faculty and staff.
On May 27, 1962, Bishop McCormick dedicated the new facility and christened it “Bishop McCort High School” as a fitting tribute to the man whose vision had begun the work 40 years before. Classrooms on all three floors of the Irene St annex had to house the entire student body since the 1922 Osborne St section, including the cafeteria, was closed for a complete renovation. The 1962-63 school year brought many more changes to Bishop McCort High School, including a new principal—Fr. J. Clark George. The old gym was gutted to make way for the present cafeteria and library. Sixteen new teachers joined the faculty, followed by another 14 the following year. A short six years later, Bishop McCort High School would see, yet, another bishop. Bishop McCormick was appointed Bishop of Scranton and subsequently succeeded by Bishop James John Hogan on May 23, 1966.
In January 1967, Fr. Richard Hovanec succeeded Fr. George as principal. Due to an increasing shortage of nuns and an exploding student population, lay teachers became the norm. The Diocese consolidated its elementary schools into 7 buildings.
The ‘70sThe new decade ushered in changes in societal norms and an escalation to the Vietnam war with its peace demonstrations and civil rights struggles.
For the first time its history, Bishop McCort would solicit the input of its female students in selecting new school uniforms. The choice? Dark red-green plaid skirts and vests.
The ‘70s brought two more setbacks to the Bishop McCort community. The first was a fire that gutted the gym and water damage to the music and locker rooms beneath. Several fundraisers later, the gym was repaired by the spring of 1977.
Then it happened—another flood. The Flood of ’77 collapsed the walls on the lower floor and the boiler room was filled with mud. Thousands of dollars of band uniforms and equipment were destroyed. Six weeks later, clean up completed, school started on time. Early in 1978, Bishop McCort’s students would see another principal in Fr. James F. Bunn as Fr. Hovanec had become pastor of SS. Cyril and Methodius.
The ‘80sFr. James Crookston replaced Fr. Bunn as principal. He brought with him former McCort graduate Fr. William Rosenbaum to serve as assistant principal and dean of discipline. It was during their administration that the Christian Service requirement of 25 hours became mandatory. In 1987, Bishop McCort would see another bishop leave and another succeed him. Bishop Hogan retired on October 17, 1986, and was succeeded by Bishop Joseph Victor Adamec on March 12, 1987. Bishop McCort would also see its first lay principal in its history. On July 1, 1989, William Rushin took the reins from Fr. Crookston.
The ‘90s to the PresentThe decade of the ‘90s brought with it its share of achievements and transformations. In 1991, the Diocese changed its student dress code to solid colors to create a more uniform ‘look” at its three high schools.
In 1997, Rushin resigned. In the spring of that year, Sr. Charmaine Grilliot, Diocesan Director of Education, appointed Sr. Donna Marie Leiden, a Sister of Charity and a former principal at two Catholic schools, as McCort’s 10th principal. Sr. Donna is the first woman to serve as Principal at McCort. Sister Donna Marie’s expertise in secondary education led to the enhancement of the curriculum which resulted in the creation of the College in High School Program. This program created a unique opportunity for McCort students to earn college credit while taking honors-level courses at BMHS. Sister Donna Marie also established a high school endowment for the benefit of the school. Sister Donna Marie also created the very successful Named Scholarship Program which supports current McCort students with tuition support while allowing alumni and friends of the school to honor family members.
In 2006, Bishop Adamec appointed Sr. Donna as Diocesan Director of Education. Kenneth S. Salem, BMHS Class of 1987, would become McCort’s second lay principal. Salem oversaw the renovation of the Osborne Street campus. The original Johnstown Catholic building was completely renovated. Modern classrooms with state of the art computers and electronics replaced the antiquated facilities. Other projects initiated during Salem’s tenure include the renovation of the Science wing, the upgrade to the boys and girls locker rooms, and the construction of the new Bach Wellness Center.
The IncorporationOn October 8, 2008, control of Bishop McCort High School was turned over to a Board of Trustees to be run as an independent non-profit 501-C3 corporation. The new board of trustees would have fiduciary responsibility for the high school. The Board is responsible for operations at the high school, including policy development, hiring of a principal, marketing and budget. The Board of Trustees will emphasize fundraising and keeping Catholic education affordable in the Greater Johnstown area. McCort will maintain its Catholic identity, but the role of the Diocese in paying the bills will be reduced. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will still ensure the Catholicity of the school and monitor the delivery of religious education
Dan Hummel, first Chairman of the Board of Trustees Bishop McCort Catholic High School Inc., praised all parties involved in the new configuration. “From the beginning, everyone’s motivation has been on the kids,” he said. “Goals include making a Catholic education available to all who want it as well as capital improvements.”
Inaugural members of the Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Inc., Board of Trustees:
Appointed July 1, 2008
Current Trustees are listed on the Leadership section of the website.