A History of Hayden High School

From its earliest years Topeka has had an active Roman Catholic community. Only five years after the city's founding priest from Lawrence led Catholic services in the Episcopal Hall. On November 21,1860, plans were made to construct Topeka's first Catholic Church. Assumption Parish's first church, completed in 1862 was a fifty by thirty-two foot stone building. It cost $2,000.


In only twenty years, the church proved to be too small so, in 1882, a bigger one was planned. And, under the guidance of Father Francis Hayden, a high school was constructed. Father Hayden, then pastor of Assumption, was also the president of the new high school. The building cost $10,000 and opened in September of 1912. In the first year, Assumption High's population was 25. The faculty consisted of Father Hayden and a sister of Charity. The building had four classrooms, a typing room, laboratory, and a library.

By 1914, Assumption High went from a parish school to a city-wide, Catholic school accepting school-aged students from all the city parishes. The name was changed to Topeka Catholic High School. And enrollment went up from 25 to 35.

In June of 1915, the first graduation was held at the Grand Theater and 5 seniors received diplomas. In 1916, enrollment was up to 64 and, in addition, one more faculty member was added, Sister Cecilia Brenneisen. In 1917, enrollment rose once again, reaching 75. An orchestra was formed with 6 members. In the same year, Topeka Catholic High School was accredited by Kansas State University.

Disaster struck the church in 1922 when a short circuit in the wiring system caused extensive fire and water damage to the sanctuary. The state marshal said it was unsafe to rebuild it. So it was replaced by the present church at the same location.

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