Rooted in Tradition.

For more than 150 years, Catholic education has been part of the story of northern Utah—and Saint Joseph has been at the heart of that tradition in Ogden.

In 1877, Rev. Lawrence Scanlan, who would later become the first Bishop of Salt Lake, established a school in a small wooden structure dedicated to Saint Joseph. Just two years later, at Father Scanlan’s invitation, the Sisters of the Holy Cross opened Sacred Heart Academy, a boarding and day school at 26th and Washington Streets.

In 1881, the first parish school was established. In 1890, the Sisters purchased property on 25th Street and built a new Sacred Heart Academy. Until its closing in 1938, the academy served as an important center of Catholic education and culture in Ogden. The original academy building continued to serve as Saint Joseph’s School for Boys until 1923. That same commitment to educating Ogden’s young people continued with the construction of Saint Joseph Grade School at 28th and Lincoln.

As the community grew, so did the need for expanded Catholic education. A junior high department was added in 1943, followed by renewed efforts to establish a Catholic high school. With the leadership of Monsignor Patrick F. Kennedy, the support of Bishop Duane G. Hunt, and the generosity and dedication of local Catholic families and leaders, Saint Joseph Catholic High School opened its doors in September 1954 under the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and the Jesuit Fathers.

Building for the Future.

Saint Joseph has continued to evolve while remaining grounded in its Catholic heritage. In 1985, the Val A. Browning Library was added to campus, followed by the Sam & Aline Skaggs Arts Education Building in 2003.

Over the years, the campus has continued to receive significant improvements, including updated classrooms and common spaces, new flooring and windows, a renovated gymnasium floor, and other facility enhancements.

In 2021, Saint Joseph expanded its outdoor campus with the addition of a pavilion, artificial turf field, and football field—creating even more opportunities for students to learn, compete, gather, and build community.

A Legacy That Continues.

Today, Saint Joseph Catholic High School carries forward a legacy that began more than a century ago. While our campus, programs, and students continue to change and grow, our purpose remains constant: to provide an exceptional education for soul, mind, and body while preparing young people to live lives of faith, purpose, service, and virtue.

We are proud of where we have come from, grateful for those who built the foundation before us, and excited for the generations of Jayhawks still to come.

Our past is part of who we are. Our future is ours to build.