Inside a comfortable and spacious theater—likely far nicer than when the school humbly started downtown—Notre Dame High began the observance of its 150th anniversary Tuesday morning. The celebration was filled with a deep appreciation for the past.
During an upbeat 150th Jubilee Mass held to recognize the day when some Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia community in Nashville arrived to begin planning the school after being invited, an air of thankfulness permeated the room along with the scent of incense.
“A big part of today is honoring the founders of the school and the donors who gave resources because they believed you were worth it,” said 1971 graduate George Valadie, the Knoxville Diocese schools superintendent and one of the speakers.
School principal and 1996 alumnus Dr. Eric Schexnaildre called the day “amazing” as the school embarks on a several-months-long celebration. He added that the long history of the school is sobering.
“What it does is bring home the importance of Notre Dame High School. It is truly a special place,” he said. “And I think it is awesome for our students. You get to be a part of this.”
Although Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church downtown had a small school when it was the only Catholic church in town, then-priest Father Patrick Ryan had written letters seeking better educational opportunities for Catholic young people in Chattanooga.
The school opened in the 1876-77 school year and survived the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1878, despite the death of Father Ryan and others who stayed in town to help those affected.
From 1926 until 1965, the school was located in a still-standing but little-used building on East Eighth Street, just east of the church. It then moved to a new, mid-century-style building on Vermont Avenue in the Glenwood area near CHI Memorial Hospital. Since then, several additions have been made to the campus.
Notre Dame High also claims other historical distinctions, including voluntarily integrating in 1963 before other private schools in town. However, Tuesday’s celebration mostly highlighted the school’s early days.
Mr. Valadie described Chattanooga in 1876—a city with no electricity, indoor plumbing, organized school sports teams, or even cheeseburgers to enjoy. His remark that drew the biggest applause was when he noted that Notre Dame was founded before fellow private school rivals Baylor, McCallie, and Girls Preparatory School, which started in 1893, 1905, and 1906, respectively.
Among other local schools, Howard began in 1865 as a school for Black students and became a public school in 1873, while Chattanooga High, which later became the Center for Creative Arts, opened in 1874.
Among the other speakers was Diocese Bishop Mark Beckman, based in Knoxville. He offered a homily from Mark 6 about Jesus feeding a large crowd with only a few loaves and fishes. He likened it to the efforts of teachers and leaders at Notre Dame over the years, who have looked out for the entire good of students despite challenges.
“Notre Dame has done more than teach minds; it has cared for the whole person,” Bishop Beckman said. “Notre Dame has done remarkably well over these 150 years, often with scarce resources. So many people here in Chattanooga over the last 150 years have given resources to help you.”
He encouraged students not to forget the compassionate mission of the church preached by Jesus, adding, “You are the next generation who will graduate from this place and carry the good news of Jesus Christ into the world. The Lord has invited you to continue that chain of love.”
The Mass also included the celebration of Holy Eucharist (communion) and featured several upbeat hymns such as “Be Thou My Vision” and “Irish Blessing.” Several students participated, including one girl in a green sweater with an almost professional-sounding singing voice.
Father A. J. Houston, the school chaplain, offered remarks and credited those who helped organize the program and celebration.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held where attendees could purchase T-shirts, small prints of various scenes of Notre Dame’s history created by Sofia Darras, and special $75 Rosary beads commemorating the anniversary.
Students Ansley Lloyd and Callie McCormick expressed pride in being Notre Dame students during this special time of celebration.
“It’s something I will definitely remember,” said Ms. Lloyd. “To be in the senior class that is graduating during the 150th anniversary, it is very cool to be a part of it because not many people can say that. We get to be a part of Notre Dame’s legacy.”
Ms. McCormick shared her enjoyment of being associated with the anniversary and pride in attending Notre Dame. “Everybody here is very kind,” she said.
Ms. Lloyd added, “Everybody is like family. There is always somebody to talk to.”
Her grandmother, Jeanie Geraci, who sent several children to Notre Dame and worked in the school office beginning in 1997, was also glad to attend the program.
“I love Notre Dame,” she proudly said.
Among the alumni attending were Tom Phifer ’76, Pat Neuhoff ’75, Kurt Schmissrauter ’80, and Mr. Phifer’s daughter, Courtney Stoddard ’01.
Mr. Phifer, son of the popular former principal and golf coach Jim Phifer, shared his favorite memory of attending the school.
“My favorite memory was meeting the most beautiful person ever, Cathy Rogers, and I am lucky enough to be married to her for 45 years,” he said. “She was a cheerleader.”
To that, friend Mr. Schmissrauter chuckled, “All of us met our wives here.”
Mr. Schmissrauter, a former Alabama football player and executive with TPC printing and packaging firm, married the former Julie Blaes, whose photo was displayed among the 1980 Mr. and Miss Notre Dame High candidates on a special anniversary timeline exhibit in the hallway.
Mr. Phifer, who works in construction, said he is celebrating his class’s 50th reunion later this year, adding that both the reunion and anniversary made the day even more special and nostalgic.
“We had good athletic programs. We had good teachers,” he said. “It was a good school. It had a good feel. You had morality.”
Mr. Neuhoff, now a local architect, said he owes much to Notre Dame.
“I learned everything from here. It started me,” he said. “From here I felt confident that I would get through it.”
He credited several teachers and mentioned that two of his aunts were also nuns.
Ms. Stoddard, celebrating her 25th anniversary as a graduate this year, said she has many great memories of attending Notre Dame, including lifelong friendships and strong family connections to the school. She also followed in her mother’s footsteps as a cheerleader.
“I have a lot of great memories cheering on the field and for the football team,” said the dietitian who works with those with eating disorders. “It’s enjoyable to be back. It’s good to see everything. There have been some changes, but it still smells the same. It brings back a lot of memories.”
In a brief interview after the Mass, Principal Dr. Schexnaildre described Tuesday as a special day.
“For me, it’s not just seeing the bishops, but also that half the priests on the stage are Notre Dame graduates. It shows the impact of our legacy and our generations of families who have come through. We have had four or five generations of families come through.”
“It’s a big part of Chattanooga and our history, and today is a surreal day of celebration and being thankful for Notre Dame High School.”
Dr. Schexnaildre also shared insights into his own connection to the school.
He began attending Notre Dame when his Catholic family moved to Chattanooga from South Louisiana in the eighth grade.
“While the school has changed slightly in some ways since I was a student three decades ago, it has not changed in others. I am thankful for having attended,” he said.
“I came here and had no confidence and was trying to feel my way through. Because of my teachers, my priests, and coaches, it truly built the man, father, and husband I am today.”
“I owe this place everything. For me to return in this role, I’m very grateful. I consider it a mission more than a job.”
As Notre Dame High School embarks on its 150th year, the legacy of faith, education, and community continues strong, inspiring current students and alumni alike to carry forward its proud traditions.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/1/8/513153/John-Shearer-Notre-Dame-High-Begins.aspx
