Notre Dame Catholic School History

 As with most Catholic schools, Notre Dame owes its continued existence to those determined people who believed the future of our faith lies in the education of our youth.  One such person was Father Henry Michael Kemper, one of ten children of William F. and Louis H Kemper.  The Catholic faith ran deep in this family as eight of the ten children entered religious life.   

Henry Kemper was a well educated man. He followed his graduation from St Michael’s School in his hometown of Chicago by getting a degree from St. Louis College (now St. Mary’s University) in San Antonio. He then returned to Chicago where he spent time working at various jobs including assisting a doctor, working at the Board of Trade, and teaching foreign languages.  Henry’s strong interest in scholarly life prompted him to return to school, this time to Notre Dame University.  He continued his success in academics, receiving many honors and earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree.  While he was working on his Master’s, he also served as a member of the faculty.

Henry accepted a fellowship to the University of Chicago.  His journey then took him to the North American University in Rome where he received numerous degrees and awards including a Solus, the Holy Father’s highest award for academic achievement.  It was at this point in Henry’s life that the Holy Spirit took over. He was struck with a severe illness.  The onslaught was so severe and so intense; the Archbishop in Chicago, who believed Henry’s death was imminent, was prompted to have the ailing candidate ordained early.   He returned to Chicago where he was ordained on December 8, 1910.  In the days that followed, the newly-ordained Father Kemper presided at his first mass and made plans for his recuperation.  Imagine the pleasant surprise of all when the young priest not only survived, but recuperated enough to start planning his future.