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Messmer High School's history began in 1925 when Monsignor George Meyer first acted on his dream to establish a great Catholic high school on Milwaukee's north side. Meyer met with neighboring pastors to discuss plans for secondary education and the possible construction of a high school building. Soon the idea was approved by Archbishop Sebastian Messmer, and the dream started to become a reality.
On September 13, 1926, 166 students filed in the St. Elizabeth's school building on 1st and Burleigh and became the first graduating class of what was then called Diocesan High School. Father Celestine Bittle, O.M.C., became the first principal, and the faculty consisted of six nuns.
The school grew so rapidly that on registration day in September of 1928, it was noted that there were "more students than room," and three more teachers had to be hired. It was during this school year that Diocesan became Messmer High School, a name suggested by Louis Spitz, one of the students in the class of 1929.
The problem of space reached crisis proportions in September of 1929 and construction of a new school building began during the 1929-1930 school year on the corner of 8th and Capitol Drive. At a cost of approximately $750,000, the stately building which offered rich oak woodwork, decorative ceramic tile, a chapel, and a swimming pool was designed for nine hundred students.
Messmer continued to thrive in the forties, fifties, sixties, and seventies, establishing itself as a city-wide leader both in academics and athletics. Enrollment became so great that two shifts of classes were required to accommodate the more than 1,200 students.
In February of 1984, things changed dramatically. The Archdiocese announced Messmer would close due to declining enrollment and rising costs. A determined group of Messmer supporters, known as the Save Messmer Committee, kept alive the vision of a school that would not die. With the help of the DeRance Foundation, Messmer reopened in August of 1984 as an independent, Catholic school.
In 1998, the Messmer High School Board of Directors assumed responsibility for Blessed Trinity Elementary School, which was relocated and renamed Messmer Preparatory Catholic School. Messmer Catholic Schools was formed in 1999 to oversee both Messmer High School and Messmer Preparatory Catholic School. Construction of Messmer Preparatory Catholic School, adjoined to St. Mary's of Czestochowa Church on Fratney and Burleigh, was completed in 2001.
On September 13, 2005, Messmer Catholic Schools and the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph entered into a new partnership in ministry. Messmer's relationship with the Capuchins began in 1926 with Father Celestine Bittle, O.M.C. who was a Capuchin and the first principal. Since then, many in the order have played a significant role at Messmer. Br. Booker Ashe provided many central city youth scholarships to attend Messmer and was an instrumental part of the Save Messmer Committee. More recently, Capuchin Friar Br. Bob Smith has led Messmer as principal and currently as president. This agreement formalizes Messmer's Capuchin roots and philosophy.
Although the demographics of the neighborhood surrounding Messmer have changed, the mission of providing a high quality, Catholic education has remained the same for almost 80 years. Today, Messmer Catholic Schools serves over 1,000 students and is dedicated to serving a diverse, urban population to instill "Knowledge, Faith, and Leadership."
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