Originally aCatholic boys' school, it became co-educational in 1973, becoming the onlyJesuitco-educational college preparatory high school in thetri-state area.[1] The school has a student enrollment of two hundred, with an average class size of fifteen students.
The Rev.Robert J. Fulton, (1826–1895), eleventh pastor (from 1880) of St. Lawrence O'Toole (the original parish name of theChurch of St. Ignatius Loyola), purchased the northwest corner of Park Avenue and 83rd Street (in theYorkville neighborhood) adjacent to his church. The purchase price was $7,500.00.
TheNew York Herald reviewed the new "Early Renaissance Type" building, reporting that "the building cost about $125,000; and the property, taken with the lot on which it is located, represents an expenditure of over $200,000. The exterior of the building is constructed entirely of Ohio sandstone, with cornices, and a flambeau with coat of arms just over the entrance.... It is of the most advanced fireproof construction.... Altogether the building represents the highest degree of architectural excellence as applied to schools."[6]
The Latin inscription on the first floor chapel bow's blind window panel (with segmental pediment) of the Park Avenue facade reads "SANCT IGNATIO / DE LOYOLA / PATRI LEGIFERO / SOCIETATIS JESV / QVI VBICVMQVE / GENTIVM / IN SPEM RELIGIONIS / ET CIVITATIS / ADOLESCENTES MORIBUS / ET BONIS ARTIBVS / IMBVIT / AEDES HAE / DEDICANTVR" which translates: "To Saint Ignatius Loyola / Founder of the Society of Jesus / who for the good of Church and State / everywhere / has stored the minds of youth / with virtue and learning / these buildings are dedicated."[7] This inscription was written by Father Philip Cardella.[8]
The six-story gymnasium and rectory at 43–63 East 83rd Street was built in 1953 to designs by architectsEggers & Higgins at a reported cost of $800,000. The five-story extension at 39–41 East 83rd Street was completed by the same architects in 1954 at a reported cost of $290,000.[10]
^Robert F. Meade and Joann M. Kusk.The Centennial History of Loyola School:1900–2000 (New York: [self-published], 2000), pp. 2–3, 8–9.
^"Blessing a New School" .The Irish-American. (February 16, 1901), cited in Robert F. Meade and Joann M. Kusk.The Centennial History of Loyola School:1900–2000 (New York: [self-published], 2000), p. 9.
^"New Loyola School a Model of Architecture of Its Type: Automatic Elevators and Indoor Playgrounds Features a Splendid Home for Students in This City; Cost Is about $125,000."New York Herald (October 23, 1901), cited in Robert F. Meade and Joann M. Kusk.The Centennial History of Loyola School:1900–2000 (New York: [self-published], 2000), p. vii.
^Robert F. Meade and Joann M. Kusk.The Centennial History of Loyola School:1900–2000 (New York: [self-published], 2000), p. iv.
