The arrival of the railroad in Palestine brought many workers, several of whom were Catholic who wanted religious instruction for their children. St. Mary's Academy began in 1882 when Mother St. Andrew Felton, Superior General of the Sisters of Divine Providence located at Castroville, Texas, sent three sisters to establish religious education here. Sister Mary Flavienne Braun was appointed Superior and principal of the school. Classes were held in a three-room frame schoolhouse on Lacy Street. Basic education and classes in religion were supplemented with instruction in French and elocution. The citizens of Palestine contributed generously to a fund to relocate the school, which was moved to this site in the 1880s to occupy two houses. North wing was added that included a chapel, classrooms, and dormitories. By 1900 a south wing was added to accommodate the increase in both day students and boarding pupils. The addition contained an auditorium on the first floor and dormitories on the top floor. St. Mary's High School was closed in 1949 due to a decrease in enrollment. A reduced teaching staff continued to operate the facility for grades 1-8, but the school was closed permanently in 1966. (1997)