St. Patrick's High School, Karachi, Pakistan
The foundation of St. Patrick's High School, Karachi, dates back to May 6th 1861. It began at that time with 3 children on the rolls. The school was started as a Parish School of St. Patrick's Parish. Was St. Patrick's School the first Catholic school in Karachi? The records show that a school run by the Discalced Carmelites existed before that date and that it was started in 1854. A building was erected and one of the contributors was Sir Charles Napier, the then Governor-General. Unfortunately the historical details are inadequate for any further details on this interesting period.
Fr. Willy of the Society of Jesus was the founder of the present St. Patrick's School and for the first year of its existence, St. Patrick's was a co-educational institution. This arrangement, however, lasted only till March 18th 1862. Five sisters of the Daughters of the Cross arrived from Europe with Bishop Steins on March 13th, and five days later began their Convent School. At that stage, however, both schools formed one institution under the official management of the Parish Priest. This system continued till 1893 when the girls' school became an entirely independent establishment under the name of St Joseph's Convent School.
St. Patrick's, first called "St. Patrick's English School" was officially registered as a High School in 1867. The first candidate for matriculation was sent up in 1869. His name was Thomas Duncan, and he stood First Class, First in the Bombay Presidency During the first 33 years of its existence, St. Patrick's School changed its site 3 time, and during these changes, it once occupied the site where the present play hall of St. Joseph's stands. (The hall where we appeared for our 'O' Levels) The school building pictured above was constructed in 1894 by the then Rev. Fr. Jurgens S. J. The building cost Rs.54,000/- and the Government gave a grant of Rs.14,000/- towards the amount. The building did not last long and had to be pulled down. This decision was made possible by he fact that a new and separate Primary Building had already been erected in 1937.
The Main School Building (The Cambridge Section during our time) was completed by the end of 1949. In 1951 a new building with 8 large classrooms and a well furnished library was added. The 'E' building was set up in 1954.