OUR LEGACY
The legacy of Our Lady Academy (OLA) is firmly anchored in the rich and enduring Catholic educational tradition of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. As the proud successor to St. Joseph’s Academy, OLA carries forward a legacy that spans more than 165 years—an unbroken commitment to shaping generations of young women intellectually, physically, and spiritually. This heritage is not merely preserved, but actively lived and advanced through every aspect of our mission, reflecting a profound dedication to excellence, faith, and the holistic formation of the female leaders of tomorrow.
ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY:
1855-1967
In January 1855, three Sisters of St. Joseph arrived from Bourg, France, at the request of Father Stanislaus Buteux, to establish a school for young women alongside St. Stanislaus College for boys. From its modest beginnings in rented quarters, St. Joseph’s Academy grew into a thriving center of education and spiritual formation.
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​Despite the challenges of the Civil War, limited communication with France, and widespread poverty, the Sisters remained steadfast in their mission. By 1861, the Academy had expanded to include boarding facilities. In 1907, a devastating fire swept through downtown Bay St. Louis, destroying the academy, the convent, and Our Lady of the Gulf Church. Undeterred, the Sisters rebuilt; by 1908, a three-story brick building stood on the same grounds, later expanded in 1924 to include a science lab, music rooms, and a gymnasium.
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St. Joseph’s Academy achieved full accreditation and, by mid-century, enrolled over 450 students. However, by 1967, a decline in religious vocations made it difficult to staff the school, and St. Joseph’s Academy closed its doors after more than a century of service.
Our Lady of the Woods from a postcard, early 1900s
The Anthony Scafidi Collection, circa 1950s
OUR LADY OF THE WOODS:
A beloved symbol of continuity between past and present is the shrine of Our Lady of the Woods, established in the 1860s. It was created by Father Buteux in thanksgiving for surviving a violent storm at sea and remains on the original campus grounds. Generations of students, both from St. Joseph’s and OLA, have found solace and inspiration at the shrine. The statue, which predates the Civil War, miraculously survived fires, hurricanes, and floods and stands as a powerful spiritual landmark.
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Our Lady of the Woods, 2025
THE BIRTH OF OUR LADY ACADEMY:
1971- Present
In 1971, at the urging of the community and the Diocese of Biloxi, an effort led by Bishop Joseph B. Brunini, Monsignor Gregory J. Johnson, and local families of Bay Saint Louis, Waveland, and Pass Christian, gave rise to Our Lady Academy. Founded on the very grounds of the former St. Joseph’s Academy, OLA began with grades 7 through 9 and added a grade each year. The first class graduated in May 1975, and in the 1980s the Sisters of Mercy welcomed Our Lady Academy into their community, establishing us as an official Mercy affiliate school.
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Today, Our Lady Academy continues the proud tradition of Catholic education as the only all-girls Catholic school in the state of Mississippi, serving students in grades 7–12. Our academic partnership with St. Stanislaus, our brother school across the street, allows for expanded educational and extracurricular opportunities.
Our Lady Academy's First Graduating Class
What emerged was more than a temporary solution—it was a powerful example of unity, compassion, and shared mission. This spirit of cooperation forged a lasting bond between the two schools, transforming hardship into strength and laying the foundation for a deeper partnership rooted in faith and community. That legacy lives on today in the motto born from that pivotal time:
“Two Schools, One Spirit.”
2005-2006
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the OLA campus, disrupting daily life and presenting unprecedented challenges. Demonstrating the same resilience and determination as their predecessors, the students, staff, and faculty of Our Lady Academy resumed classes within just two months—thanks to the generous support of neighboring St. Stanislaus College, which opened its doors and shared its facilities.
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REBUILDING AFTER KATRINA:
"Two Schools, One Spirit" 2005-2006 Yearbook Page Designed by Students
Sister Donella Hartman, R.S.M., Principal in 1998
SISTERS OF MERCY
The Sisters of Mercy, founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831, have long believed that education is a powerful tool for transformation. Guided by their Catholic faith and a mission of service, the Sisters dedicated themselves to educating young people—especially girls—by creating schools rooted in both academic excellence and spiritual formation.
For the Sisters, education and faith-formation are inseparable. They emphasize the growth of the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—while encouraging students to live out Gospel values through prayer, reflection, and service. Mercy education is not just about learning, but about becoming compassionate, faith-filled leaders who strive to make a difference.
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Today, the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy continues in schools around the world, where students are formed in faith, grounded in knowledge, and inspired to serve with courage and compassion.
Sister Jackie, Principal 2007
Our Lady Academy remains committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and leadership development for young women. Grounded in the faith and resilience demonstrated before, OLA prepares each student to serve with integrity, lead with compassion, and thrive in a changing world.
