The St. Mary property, including the building which housed the Presbyterian Michigan Female Seminary until 1907, was purchased in 1930. The original St. Mary Church was built in 1938 and St. Mary School opened in September 1945 with 59 students in four classrooms located below the church. The Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis, were asked to come to teach.
As parish and student enrollment grew, the church was expanded and more school classrooms were added. In 1951 the playground outside the school was built and in 1963, the original church was remodeled for a gymnasium and used until Bart Hall was constructed.
A closing Mass was held on May 28, 2004, for St. Mary students, parents and friends. The Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) congratulate and thank St. Mary Parish and parishioners for their loyal and long-standing support for St. Mary School and for Catholic education. The sacrifices made have touched many generations and countless individuals. Students at St. Mary School for 2004-2005 were invited and welcomed at the remaining three CSGK Catholic elementary schools. We thank St. Mary School parents who responded to this change by continuing to enroll your children in Catholic elementary schools.