Local Catholic convert Joseph Middleton, formerly a Quaker, petitioned Bishop St. John Neumann for a church in Chestnut Hill. Though resources were scarce, Bishop Neumann promised his support if Middleton could rally the community. He did.

Construction of the original church began under the guidance of Augustinian Father Patrick Moriarty. The church was completed and blessed in 1855 as St. Mary’s, later renamed Our Mother of Consolation, honoring a title of the Blessed Mother especially dear to the Augustinian tradition.

Our Mother of Consolation Parish opened a school to serve the growing Catholic community. The first classes were held in a modest tenant house on the former Middleton estate, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph (SSJ). Their mission to educate “the dear neighbor without distinction” quickly became a defining hallmark of the school’s identity — one that still shapes OMC today.

As the school grew, so did its physical space. In 1888, the parish hall and four classrooms were built. In 1916, it was succeeded by a more modern stone structure that would serve OMC students for over a century.

For nearly a century and a half, OMC was guided by the Augustinian Fathers, whose pastoral leadership helped shape the spiritual life of Chestnut Hill. In 1999, pastoral leadership passed to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS). The Oblates brought their distinctive Salesian charism to the life of the parish and school. Their influence is felt daily in the joyful, intentional way OMC lives its mission of faith and formation.

On March 21, 2023, a devastating fire broke out at the school shortly after the end of the day. Students were safely outside in the yard, and thanks to the swift response of faculty, staff, neighbors, and first responders, all were evacuated without injury. The blaze destroyed the 107-year-old school building, leaving only the stone exterior intact. By the grace of God, the adjacent church and SSJ convent were spared.

The Chestnut Hill community and surrounding neighborhoods — including schools of many kinds, civic groups, and private citizens — offered extraordinary support. Chestnut Hill College, sponsored by the SSJ, welcomed OMC students onto its campus for two years, allowing the school’s mission to continue.

In 2025, we open the doors to a state-of-the-art school designed to inspire and support student success. Still housed in the same stone exterior from 1916, the new classrooms, cutting-edge technology, and expansive collaboration spaces ensure that every student has the resources they need to thrive.

Our history continues to shape who we are today, inspiring us to build on the traditions that have long defined OMC. Together with our students, families, faculty, alumni, and parish community, we remain committed to our mission of nurturing faith, pursuing academic excellence, and fostering a welcoming community where every child is known, valued, and encouraged.