St Columba’s College celebrates 200 years of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart

St Columba’s College in St Albans held two Bicentenary Masses in celebration of this impressive milestone, one for the Prep School on 29 September and one for the Senior School on 30 September.

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart celebrated the 200th anniversary of its foundation on 30 September 2021. The Catholic religious community, which was founded by Father André Coindre in Lyon, France in 1821, is now a world-wide institute with more than 1,000 Brothers in 33 countries.

St Columba’s College, an independent co-educational Catholic day school in St Albans is the only UK school within the Brothers of the Sacred Heart’s global community.

Today, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of the United States Province also sponsor or work in 10 schools in the United States, one school and college in the Philippines, and two missions -- one on the Navajo nation in Klagetoh, Arizona, and the other in Amatongas, Mozambique.

Dignitaries attended the Mass and drinks reception at St Columba’s College. L-R: The Lady Mayoress, The Countess of Verulam CVO DL, The Right Worshipful The Mayor of the City of St Albans, Mr David Buxton, Headmaster of St Columba’s College

Both Masses were presided over by Bishop Paul McAleenan and were concelebrated by College Chaplain Brother Nelson Dionne and several Members of Clergy from St Albans and beyond.

Dignitaries attending the Senior School Mass and drinks reception afterwards included Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire The Countess of Verulam CVO DL and The Right Worshipful The Mayor of the City of St Albans.

Invited guests attending included the daughters of St Columba’s founding Headmaster Mr Philip O’Neill, Alumni, Governors, parents and friends of the College. Many former staff members were also took part in the two-day celebration, including Mr James Coughlan, who started teaching at St Columba’s in 1949.

Headmaster, David Buxton, says: “Our Bicentenary Masses were an appropriate way for the College and the local community to show their appreciation to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart who have now been educating children in many countries around the world for the last 200 years and for 66 years here in St Albans. It is a significant landmark”.