Cardinal Hayes High School

The history of Cardinal Hayes Memorial High School for Boys might be said to begin on May 23, 1939, for on that day Pope Pius XII appointed Bishop Francis Spellman of Boston to be the sixth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York. It has been reported that from the very moment of his appointment, Cardinal Spellman intended to build a suitable and lasting memorial to his very popular predecessor, Cardinal Hayes. That memorial was to be our school!

Cardinal Spellman had a dream and a vision - a dream that a fine, well-equipped, religiously sound school could be built in a brief time to educate the young men of the Bronx and Manhattan and other nearby areas - that dream came true in less than two years. Cardinal Spellman also had a vision - a vision that this school would provide a Catholic formation and an academic standard unmatched by any other school in the Archdiocese. That vision perdures and reaches toward the 21st century.

That dream and the vision of Cardinal Spellman, our founder, took form early in 1940. War clouds were on the horizon and some people questioned the building of a high school in these times. With optimism based on faith and with confidence in the generosity of the people of New York, Spellman gave the word to build!

Before the building operations started, the site was occupied on the Grand Concourse front by a filling station and along the lower rear by a row of squatters' cabins. Traces of these cabins can still be seen as they are used by some of the local residents to grow vegetables in small plots of earth against our lower walls. It is a local tradition that the site of Hayes was used as a convenient disposal area for the earth removal in the building of the East Side subway system. That theory is substantiated by the difficulties encountered in establishing the foundations by the school builders.

The first principal - Bishop Philip Furlong - was sent by Cardinal Spellman to survey the newly purchased property and the Bishop shook his head wondering how anything of worth and substance could be built on such an oddly-sized piece of property - property that curved off the Grand Concourse and then dropped 5 stories to the railroad yards below. But the order had been given to build!

Everything went according to schedule. The cornerstone was laid on November 20, 1940, the birthday of Cardinal Hayes. Almost magically, all the materials were assembled and even half the cost of the school (3 million dollars) was subscribed before a stone was placed. Finally, the day of dedication arrived - Monday, September 8, 1941, the 49th anniversary of Cardinal Hayes' ordination and interestingly enough the 9th anniversary of Cardinal Spellman's consecration as bishop! In the presence of four bishops, countless monsignori and priests, the civic community led by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Knights of Columbus. Cardinal Spellman first blessed the Chapel of Cardinal Hayes High School and then hung the ivory crucifix over the entrance to the Brady auditorium. The ceremonies were then followed by SCHOLA BREVIS for the several hundred original students of Cardinal Hayes High School.



Archbishop Spellman at the round-breaking ceremonies for the New School.

On November 20, 1940 Archbishop Spellman laid the cornerstone of the new high school.

Hayes quickly acquired a fine public image. People admired its marching band, its well-dressed students, its renowned faculty and its unique spirit. The Cardinal and Gold were welcome colors throughout the city of New York for all kinds of occasions.

The history of this institution is a proud one. Hayes was established to provide that dream and vision of Cardinal Spellman: a quality education in academics and Catholic values to young men of middle class families who could not afford the then existing private schools. Hayes began with a tuition of $5 per month per student.

Hayes's tradition and excellence have touched the lives of over 25,000 alumni and continues to shape the lives of the present student body of nearly 1100. The Hayes tradition has prepared young men for 64 years to take their place in the world as well-prepared, well-qualified, well-prepared Christian Gentleman, well-developed leaders in whatever sphere of activity the may choose.

Cardinal Hayes High School has been staffed since its beginning by Archdiocesan priests, Irish Christian Brothers, De la Salle Brothers, Franciscan Brothers and Priests, Marist Brothers, Xaverian Brothers, Religious Sisters and scores of dedicated laymen and women. The education has been first rate since opening day on September 8, 1941.

Cardinal Hayes High School is beginning to look to the 21st century after completing 50 years of service to the Church of New York. As we plan for the future, evaluate our programs and courses under the auspices of the prestigious Middle States Association, and welcome nearly 1100 students each year, we hope that you will find this website to be helpful. This website will explain to you what Hayes is all about - its history, its traditions, its goals, its dreams, the Hayes way of life!

After searching it, we hope that you will come to understand the meaning or our motto "FOR GOD AND COUNTRY" and the spirit of our salute:
"UP HAYES AND ALL ITS LOYAL MEN!