Our History

Corpus Christi Catholic Academy, the first of the Diocesan Catholic Schools in Colorado Springs, has a rich history of faith, dedication, and commitment to Catholic education. The school was founded in 1921 by Reverend Father Felix C. Abel, who came to Colorado Springs seeking treatment for tuberculosis. During his time here, Father Abel recognized the need for a Catholic school to serve the growing parish community and opened Corpus Christi with 66 students and three sisters from the School Sisters of St. Francis serving as the original faculty.

As enrollment grew, so did the need for additional space. In 1925, a two-room frame schoolhouse was constructed to accommodate the increasing number of students. Over the following decades, Corpus Christi continued to expand, remaining steadfast in its mission to provide students with an education rooted in faith and academic excellence.

In 1950, construction began on the core of the present brick school building at a cost of $140,000. The new facility was dedicated on March 20 and provided space for 350 students. Continued growth led to the addition of four more classrooms in 1959, bringing enrollment to 550 students. In 1998, another wing was added to meet the evolving needs of the school’s curriculum and growing community.

The history of Corpus Christi Catholic Academy is deeply connected to the history of Corpus Christi Catholic Parish. The parish was established in 1916 when Father Abel and parishioners purchased and relocated a Baptist church to the site of the present-day church. The first Mass was celebrated there in 1917. The founding parish community was made up of Catholics of English, Italian, Spanish, and Slavic heritage, many of whose descendants continue to be active members of the parish today.

In 1955, the cornerstone was laid for the current church building following a remarkable one-day fundraising effort that raised $75,000 toward its construction. This spirit of generosity and commitment has continued throughout the decades, shaping Corpus Christi into the vibrant Catholic community it is today.

For more than a century, Corpus Christi Catholic Academy has remained dedicated to forming students in faith, wisdom, and virtue while providing a strong academic foundation. Built on the sacrifices and devotion of generations before us, our school continues to carry forward its mission of educating young people in the Catholic tradition.