In 1957 the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invited the Friar Order Servants of Mary (Servites) in Chicago to come to Orange County to open an all-male Catholic high school in Anaheim.

 

Father Maurice Gillespie, OSM, arrived in May, 1958, with a small band of Friars as well as equipment, supplies and personnel from St. Philip High School in Chicago. They got an unfinished brick building and 110 boys that would comprise the inaugural freshman class.

 

When school started in the fall of 1958, Servite was holding classes in borrowed classrooms at St. Philip Benizi elementary school while the administration worked out of a windowless storage room. The main building was finished in December, 1958, and was dedicated by James Francis Cardinal McIntyre on the Feast of the Seven Holy Fathers, February 12th, 1959.

 

From the beginning Servite has emphasized developing very well-rounded young men prepared for success in college and life. Servite teaches young men to seek excellence in academics, athletics, the arts and Catholic spirituality. Servite men become leaders in business, medicine, law, non-profits, military and civic service, and in the Church.

 

In 2005, Servite debuted the nation’s first comprehensive four-year Formation Program designed to transform boys into men who are powerful, faith-filled leaders in college, their profession, and their family and personal life. The Formation Program weaves academics, athletics, activities and spirituality together in a seamless experience that gives graduates a firm foundation for success. The program begins with an intense and rewarding Freshman Formation Weekend the summer before freshman year and concludes with graduation and alumni participation. Servite men are continuously evaluated in terms of their academics, leadership and teamwork, and character and spiritual development.

 

Servite has one of the most challenging academic programs in Southern California and often leads Orange County private schools in the number of National Merit scholars.

 

In athletics, Servite has won 3 State Championships, 12 CIF Championships and almost 100 league championship titles playing in some of the most challenging leagues in the nation.

 

The Servite Classical Guitar program is one of the very best in the nation with a number of participants receiving musical scholarships to prestigious universities. The Tri-School Theatre program (Servite, Rosary and Connelly High Schools) is one of the best in California having won numerous MACY awards and performing in international festivals in Scotland and Nebraska.

 

Servite’s facilities include one of the best theaters in Southern California; a newly installed high-performance all-weather track and synthetic football/soccer field (2004); a full renovation of the Servite gym and aquatics facility (2003 & 2002); the opening of a new library and science wing (1998); and a full renovation of the main classroom building (1998).

 

With 7,500 alumni in 45 graduating classes, the Servite alumni, parent and benefactor network is very strong in Southern California. Servite men are leaders of billion-dollar businesses; are among the best attorneys and physicians in the nation; are leaders of federal and local governments; have started important non-profits like Corazon; and have served with distinction in the Church and military.

 

As Servite approaches its 50th anniversary, it continues to seek excellence in developing the faith-filled leaders we need in our society for the future.