45 Years Ago Today

45 years ago, on March 1, 1966, the Most Reverend Hugh Donohoe, Bishop of Stockton, broke ground on the first Catholic high school in the Modesto area. Named Central Catholic in recognition of the school’s appeal to surrounding areas, the new school had broad support in the community, including from Fred C. Beyer, the county superintendent of public schools who watches the Bishop shovel the first spade of dirt in this photo. The school, although not quite finished, would be ready for classes in September, 1966.