Our Lady of Lourdes School will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2017. We are located in a three-story brick building in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, just a block from the Bethesda Metro station. All classrooms are large, bright and airy. The past ten years have been years of growth and change for Our Lady of Lourdes School.
The parish was established in 1926, and its first pastor was Father James J. O’Connor. He purchased the building and land from the Chinese Embassy, which had used it as its summer residence. The upper floors were converted into the rectory, and Masses were held on the ground floor. On March 16, 1930, the first Confirmation was administered by Archbishop Michael J. Curley. As the congregation grew, so did its needs. More land was purchased, as well as another building. In the spring of 1940, the plans for the three-story building now housing Our Lady of Lourdes School were begun in earnest, and the school building was completed in January of 1941.
There were eight classrooms, a kindergarten and a library; the auditorium at the rear of the building could seat 600 people; this was used as the church for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. On September 5, 1941, 236 students enrolled in the first registration of the school. Tuition was $25 a child. The first graduation was held in June of 1942 with thirty-one graduates. By 1944, the enrollment had reached 484, and by 1955, enrollment was up to 1052 students. The Provincial of the Franciscan Sisters of Glen Riddle, from Glen Riddle, PA, staffed the new school. They lived in the large convent which was adjacent to the school building.
Father Elmer T. Fisher was appointed the third pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in November of 1945. He took a special interest in the children and was a familiar figure in all classes. It was under Father Fisher’s direction that the new wing of the school was begun in 1950, the same year he began renovations in the Church. Both the new wing of the school and the new Church were dedicated in May of 1951.
As other areas built new churches and formed new parishes, the number of parishioners and the enrollment in Our Lady of Lourdes declined through the seventies and eighties.
In the late nineties, enrollment hit an all-time low, and there were concerns about the stability of our parish school. Things turned around dramatically with new leadership and programs, going from 100 students to 275 within five years. At this time, Our Lady of Lourdes School is thriving; having room for only a few more students in specific classes. The school enjoys a solid academic and social outreach reputation that is due, in large part, to a strong parent community and a faculty who are dedicated to ensuring that Lourdes’ students live their faith in today’s world. Our Lady of Lourdes School was named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a Best of Bethesda School this past year.
In the summer of 2010, we enlarged and enhanced the new Library Media Center are, and an accessible entrance was added to the main floor of the building. The library collection was culled and rebuilt. An additional 32 laptops, and 21 iPad Mini's and iPads were purchased in 2013-2014.
In the summer of 2009, the Little Group and Pre-K rooms were updated; a double-wide door was installed between two rooms to allow for the expansion of the three-year old program. In 2007, the principal’s office was enlarged by removing a wall of closets. In 2006, classrooms were painted; some air-conditioners were replaced, and two rooms were re-carpeted. In 2004 the school’s cafeteria was redone by upgrading the service line, installing new lighting fixtures as well as new, and much larger, windows. The teacher’s lounge was renovated, as well, and moved to the main floor of the building, thus ensuring easy access and a certain place of community for teachers and staff. In 2011, a magnificent turf field and the beautiful Luke's Garden were completed. In 2014 a new Sport Court outdoor basketball court and a large decked area were completed outside. In the summer of 2014, new windows were installed in the gym, and air conditioners were installed in the cafeteria. In the summer of 2015 two bathrooms and a hallway outside the Little Group classroom were renovated. In the past ten years, this building has been totally revamped to become a more inviting place for our students to learn about the world and about God. This summer, plans are to replace the playground surface and equipment, and to upgrade the landscaping around the field and basketball court.
The parish was established in 1926, and its first pastor was Father James J. O’Connor. He purchased the building and land from the Chinese Embassy, which had used it as its summer residence. The upper floors were converted into the rectory, and Masses were held on the ground floor. On March 16, 1930, the first Confirmation was administered by Archbishop Michael J. Curley. As the congregation grew, so did its needs. More land was purchased, as well as another building. In the spring of 1940, the plans for the three-story building now housing Our Lady of Lourdes School were begun in earnest, and the school building was completed in January of 1941.
There were eight classrooms, a kindergarten and a library; the auditorium at the rear of the building could seat 600 people; this was used as the church for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. On September 5, 1941, 236 students enrolled in the first registration of the school. Tuition was $25 a child. The first graduation was held in June of 1942 with thirty-one graduates. By 1944, the enrollment had reached 484, and by 1955, enrollment was up to 1052 students. The Provincial of the Franciscan Sisters of Glen Riddle, from Glen Riddle, PA, staffed the new school. They lived in the large convent which was adjacent to the school building.
Father Elmer T. Fisher was appointed the third pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in November of 1945. He took a special interest in the children and was a familiar figure in all classes. It was under Father Fisher’s direction that the new wing of the school was begun in 1950, the same year he began renovations in the Church. Both the new wing of the school and the new Church were dedicated in May of 1951.
As other areas built new churches and formed new parishes, the number of parishioners and the enrollment in Our Lady of Lourdes declined through the seventies and eighties.
In the late nineties, enrollment hit an all-time low, and there were concerns about the stability of our parish school. Things turned around dramatically with new leadership and programs, going from 100 students to 275 within five years. At this time, Our Lady of Lourdes School is thriving; having room for only a few more students in specific classes. The school enjoys a solid academic and social outreach reputation that is due, in large part, to a strong parent community and a faculty who are dedicated to ensuring that Lourdes’ students live their faith in today’s world. Our Lady of Lourdes School was named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a Best of Bethesda School this past year.
In the summer of 2010, we enlarged and enhanced the new Library Media Center are, and an accessible entrance was added to the main floor of the building. The library collection was culled and rebuilt. An additional 32 laptops, and 21 iPad Mini's and iPads were purchased in 2013-2014.
In the summer of 2009, the Little Group and Pre-K rooms were updated; a double-wide door was installed between two rooms to allow for the expansion of the three-year old program. In 2007, the principal’s office was enlarged by removing a wall of closets. In 2006, classrooms were painted; some air-conditioners were replaced, and two rooms were re-carpeted. In 2004 the school’s cafeteria was redone by upgrading the service line, installing new lighting fixtures as well as new, and much larger, windows. The teacher’s lounge was renovated, as well, and moved to the main floor of the building, thus ensuring easy access and a certain place of community for teachers and staff. In 2011, a magnificent turf field and the beautiful Luke's Garden were completed. In 2014 a new Sport Court outdoor basketball court and a large decked area were completed outside. In the summer of 2014, new windows were installed in the gym, and air conditioners were installed in the cafeteria. In the summer of 2015 two bathrooms and a hallway outside the Little Group classroom were renovated. In the past ten years, this building has been totally revamped to become a more inviting place for our students to learn about the world and about God. This summer, plans are to replace the playground surface and equipment, and to upgrade the landscaping around the field and basketball court.