History
In 1909, Monsignor Power of All Saints Parish asked the Christian Brothers of Ireland to open a school in New York City to teach the boys of the largely Irish immigrant parish. A few years later, the school (named All Hallows) opened at 15 West 124th Street. Enrollment grew and a new building was acquired at 164th Street and Walton Avenue in 1931. The new school was named Power Memorial Academy after Monsignor Power, who died in 1926. Power Memorial opened to thirty-one first year students on Monday, September 21, 1931. Again the school grew, requiring more space. In 1938, the Brothers purchased the former NY Nursery & Childs Hospital at 161 West 61st Street and moved the school there. The school remained at this address until it closed in mid semester 1985.
On March 15, 1948, Marko L. Markovich opened fire on students practicing for the St. Patrick's Day parade, killing one, Thomas Brady, and wounding six others. "Mad gunman kills boy here, wounds six before capture" read the front page headline on the NY Times. In memoriam, the academy marched in the parade without music, their flags and drums wrapped in black. The parade was attended by President Harry S. Truman and Governor Thomas E. Dewey.
In June 1984, Power Memorial Academy closed its doors for financial reasons. The building was sold the following year for $13 million. The Power Memorial Academy building was demolished and a luxury apartment building was built on the site.
Read more about this topic: Power Memorial Academy
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