Photos: Holy Cross through the years
Before it closed at the end of last school year, Holy Cross Regional Catholic School had been in Lynchburg since 1879 and was the area's only Catholic school.
1966-03-19 Charity is name

March 19, 1966 - Charity is their name - Service to the poor is one of four vows taken by sisters at Holy Cross Convent as the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Two of the mission's sisters leave for a visit to Lynchburg Training School and Hospital with three high school students, who as Children of Mary assist in service work. They are, from left, Laura Keaton, Sister Anna Charles, Sister Margaret, Carol Good and Patricia Loughran.
1963-01-25 Holy Cross Ring Dance

January 25, 1963 - Holy Cross Ring Dance - John Wimer, left, and Tom Risk, right, get their class rings Thursday night from Polly Petty, second from left, and Robin Eldridge. Annual Ring Dance at Holy Cross marked occasion for all juniors receiving rings.
1957 Holy cross site

Site of the new Holy Cross School.
1987-06-10 Holy Cross Debs

June 10, 1987 - Sister Clare Debs, right, shares a cry with Gwen Naples, mother of three Holy Cross students on the last day of classes. The Daughters of Charity, the order of nuns who had taught at Holy Cross since its founding in 1879, withdrew from the school in 1987, citing a dwindling number of women entering religious life.
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March 7, 1963 Sister Amelia, center, principal of Holy Cross School, swings the ax in yesterday's ground-clearing ceremony... Looking on are Sister Catherine, left, sister Irmina, and Holy Cross School children.
Holy Cross

The undated file photo shows Holy Cross school under construction on Langhorne Road.
1987-02-08 Holy Cross teacher

February 8, 1987 - Personal instruction is important for teachers and Sister Mary Catherine.
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Feb. 8, 1987 - Daily duties for Sister Mary Catherine include drawing shades for Holy Cross.
1987-01-16 Holy Cross clean sweep

January 16, 1987 - Doug Schallon sweeps rows in Roman theater being built by the Holy Cross Regional School's chapter of the Junior Classical League. Students also removed Thursday the forms where concrete was poured for the theater.
1987-2-8 Holy cross prayer

February 8, 1987 - From 6:14 to 6:45 a.m. the sisters are in prayer in the chapel in the convent. The Daughters of Charity taught at Holy Cross from its founding in 1879 to 1987.
1984-11-24 holy cross exterior

NEWS & ADVANCE FILE PHOTO
1923-01-01 Holy Cross grad

1923 - Written on the back: Holy Cross Grad M.C. Morrison. Holy Cross Convent and Holy Cross Academy in background at the 900 block of Clay Street.
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This photo from November 1956 shows the house at 721 Court Street being renovated to be used as a high school for Holy Cross Academy. The school occupied much of the 900 block of Clay Street in the early 1900s. In 1959 a new school was built on Langhorne Road.
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St. Francis Xavier Church was built at the corner of Ninth and Clay streets in 1843 as the first home for the Catholic church in Lynchburg. The parish was renamed Holy Cross when a new sanctuary was built at Ninth and Clay Streets in 1879, and the old building was used for the Holy Cross School. This photo was taken outside the school in 1890. The building was razed in 1916 for a new ten-room school on the same site. The Blue Ridge Regional Jail now occupies the entire block where the old school stood.
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Ready for Parade. These characters of fairy book lore -- in reality students at Holy Cross Academy -- are busy checking their costumes for tonight's big Santa Claus parade. Event will get underway at 7:30 p.m. from Rivermont Bridge. Helping the witch, Ann Bragassa, with her costume are Donna Perry, left, who portrays Gretel, and Edward Hedrick, right, who is Hansel of the Hansel and Gretel tale.
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Mrs. Clyde Sadler, left, chairwoman of the annual creche project for the Holy Cross Council of Catholic Women, and Mrs. Donald Wagoner, co-chairwoman of the project from the Lynchburg Council of Church Women, put the finishing touches on the manger scene at the foot of Monument Terrace. Each year, the Council of Church Women alternate with other church women groups in preparing the scene for the Christmas season.
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1985-09-07-Holy Cross principal

September 7, 1985 - Sister Claire Debs talked about the quality of education recently in her office at Holy Cross School.
1987-02-08 Holy Cross Cheerleaders

February 8, 1987 - School spirit is fostered by cheerleaders under Sister Mary Catherine's guidance. The cheerleaders from right to left are, Susan McQuillion, 11th grade, Laura Dodgion, 11th grade, Jennifer Proffitt, 10th grade.
1987-06-08 Hly Cross Grad

June 8, 1987 - Holy Cross Principal Claire Debs and Valedictorian Scott Schallon.
1987-06-10 Holy Cross sister warehime

June 10, 1987 Sister Catherine Warehime received plant from students on final day at Holy Cross.
1991-12-02 Holy Cross first grade

Februry 12, 1991 - First graders Alexia Witcombe, 6, and Nicholas Frye model the standard uniform for Holy Cross Regional School elementary students.
1991-12-17 Holy Cross fans

Cheering for their team, Michael Henson, left, Shaun Canter, center, and Liz Douglas at the Vines Center at Liberty University, during a games against VES.
Holy Cross students celebrate Catholic Schools Week

Prayer partners kindergartner Morgan Adams (left) and freshman Bailey Ferguson make cards for Meals on Wheels participants at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School during Catholic Schools Week. Photo by Jill Nance
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New principal Mary Sherry looks at the Latin work of Laura Rowland on Tuesday as she visits classrooms on her second day at Holy Cross Regional School. Photo by Jill Nance
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New principal Mary Sherry greets students as they arrive at school on Tuesday at Holy Cross Catholic School. Photo by Jill Nance
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Luke Mosley tightens a knot after writing a prayer on a cloth, which will be knotted with other prayers and placed around a statue of Mary, in honor of Pope Francis' visit to the United States, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015 in Lynchburg, Va.
Ash Wednesday 4

Evan Speicher of Holy Cross Regional Catholic School receives the sign of the cross on his forehead during the Ash Wednesday service held Wednesday.
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Fourth-graders at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School react Wednesday as the announcement of the new pope begins.
Second-grade teacher is behind beloved tradition at Holy Cross

Sherry Schemmel leads her second-grade class as the students rehearse their Thanksgiving songs before taking the stage at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School on Wednesday.
Coach John Laneve

Former Holy Cross basketball coach John “Doc” Laneve shakes the hand of John Keaton, who played under him. Laneve led Holy Cross to five state Catholic League championships during 1968-83.
Holy Cross donation

Brooke Valentine presents flowers to Al Stroobants during a celebration ceremony held for Stroobants' donation to Holy Cross Regional Catholic School in 2008.
Holy Cross' class of 25 says farewell

Holy Cross Regional Catholic School students wait to begin their commencement ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Sunday.
Holy Cross names new head of school

Patricia Culbreth
Holy Cross softball is stronger with unusual Amherst array

Former Amherst High multi-sport athlete Jeff Thomas spends his time on the field these days as assistant coach at Holy Cross. Thomas talks with a Holy Cross batter before she stepped up to the plate.
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New Holy Cross Regional Catholic School Principal Doug Washington poses for a portrait at the school Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Lynchburg, Va.
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Blue Ridge Conference game between Liberty Christian Acadamy at Holy Cross Regional School. Holy Cross went on to win the game on January 12, 2007.
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Holy Cross senior Emily Hickey practices with her team on Saturday.
2-8 bullet bill

Bill Dudley's funeral at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lynchburg, Va. on February 8, 2009.
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Second-grader Elizabeth Brooker of Holy Cross Catholic School receives ashes as part of an Ash Wednesday ceremony held Wednesday morning.
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Jordan Anderson receives the cross on his forehead in ash from Deacon Gordon Cartwright at Holy Cross Catholic School on Wednesday morning.
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Brooke Valentine prays the Our Father during a reading of the stations of the cross at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School Friday afternoon. The stations depict the 14 stages of Jesus' Crucifixion and is a Catholic tradition. The reading was a part of the 4th grade daily religion class.
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The 4th grade religion class of Holy Cross Regional Catholic School reads through the stages of the cross during their half-hour daily religion class.
4-11 Dovile Miliauskaite

Holy Cross' Dovile Miliauskaite, girls N&A basketball player of the year.
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Amy Gillis (right), a Holy Cross grad and Roanoke College player, pitches to a Lynchburg College player while another Holy Cross grad, Dara Sandifer, is on third.
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Jalisa Poe (left) of Holy Cross prepares to catch the ball that will make Drew Rutledge of William Campbell out at second.
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Amber Marstin of William Campbell pitches to a Holy Cross softball player during their game Monday night.
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Katie Duff of Holy Cross pitches to players from William Campbell during their game Monday night.
05-31 Book Signing

Joe Bruzek shows drawings from his book "Love in Winter" to a group of fifth graders at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School in Lynchburg, Va., May 31, 2012. Bruzek was one of seven students in the 11th and 12th grades who wrote and illustrated a children's book as part of a studio art class and today signed copies that will be added to the school's library.
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No. 19 of LCA is out at second base by No. 7 of Holy Cross after running in between second and third during their game on Thursday.
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No. 12 of Holy Cross pitches during their game against LCA.
6-6 grad

Holy Cross Regional Catholic School students wait to begin their Commencement ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Lynchburg, Va. on June 6, 2010.
6-6 grad

Peyton Howard (left) hugs Christopher James Roy after Roy delivered his Valedictory Address during the Holy Cross Regional Catholic School Commencement ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Lynchburg, Va. on June 6, 2010.
6-6 grad

Holy Cross Regional Catholic graduates cry during Christopher James Roy's Valedictory Address during the Commencement ceremony at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Lynchburg, Va. on June 6, 2010.
9-4 circus

Holy Cross students celebrate the summer reading accomplishments with a "circus fun day" party on September 4, 2009.
9-4 circus

Holy Cross students celebrate the summer reading accomplishments with a "circus fun day" party on September 4, 2009.
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Lane David (left) and James Schubert race in an obstacle course on Friday morning at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School. Pre-K through sixth-grade students were rewarded with a day of activities in their "County Fair U.S.A." for meeting their summer reading goals. The program was set in place for encourage students to continue reading throughout the summer, reaching the goal of eight hours. One hundred percent of the students reached the goal.
10-04 Animal Blessing

Father Jim Gallagher blesses second-grader Gautam Upreti's betta fish, Ruby, during the annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony at Holy Cross Regional Catholic Church in Lynchburg, Va., October 4, 2012. Animals from snakes to chinchillas received blessings on the lawn outside the school. The ceremony included a short presentation by students of the story of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and a round of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
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V.E.S. players Will Manning, background right, and Blake Hill, celebrate a goal as Holy Cross' Iseman Knight reacts in disbelief as the Bishops outlasted the Gaels 3-2 on Tuesday at Holy Cross.
10-12 soccer

Holy Cross player Ethan Servas watches as VES player Tylden Mosby heads the ball during a game at Holy Cross Regional School in Lynchburg, Va. on October 12, 2010.
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Holy Cross player Teddy Delledera (right) and VES player Chris Anderson battle for the ball during a game at Holy Cross Regional School in Lynchburg, Va. on October 12, 2010.
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The Holy Cross soccer team celebrates after beating Peninsula Catholic High School during their VISAA Division II boys soccer tournament quarterfinal game on Monday.
11-17 robotics

The First Lego Robotics Competition at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School in Lynchburg, Va. on November 17, 2007.
11-17 robotics

The First Lego Robotics Competition at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School in Lynchburg, Va. on November 17, 2007.
11-22 Thanksgiving play

2nd grade Thanksgiving Day play at Holy Cross on Nov. 22 in Lynchburg. Va.
11-22 Thanksgiving play

2nd grade Thanksgiving Day play at Holy Cross on November 22nd in Lynchburg. Va.. Photo by Kim Raff
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Holy Cross basketball player, Brie Graham, prepares to battle for a rebound during a free throw in Wednesday's game at V.E.S. Photo by Chet White
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Sherry Schemmel leads her second grade class as they rehearse their Thanksgiving songs before taking the stage at Holy Cross on Wednesday.
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Holy Cross second grade teacher Sherry Schemmel (right) keeps the beat as her students dance on stage in the class's Thanksgiving play production on Wednesday Nov. 21.
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Takahiro Honjo (left) and Logan Doss (right) compete to control the ball Thursday.
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Holy Cross midfielder Daniel Sheedy falls to the ground as LCA defenders converge on his position Thursday. Sam O'Keefe/The News & Advance
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Holy Cross goaltender Colin Baker (left) reaches for the ball with his tongue hanging from his mouth as LCA's Hamiun Cho (center) is pushed aside in Thursday's 0-0 draw.
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LCA junior Will Cheatwood turns his head as the ball descends into a pack of players.
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Defenseman Tom Bruzek delivers a corner kick into the scrum of players for Holy Cross in Tuesday game.
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Holy Cross forward Billy Heath (9) keeps his head up as he dribbles down the field in a 2-0 loss to The Covenant School at home Tuesday.
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Forward Girma Fekadu (right) fights for position with Holy Cross' Daniel Sheedy (left) in the 2-0 win Tuesday.
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Kindergartner Madison Farringer hugs her prayer partner, freshman Chihiro Sharyo, after meeting to write cards to Meals on Wheels recipiants during Catholic Schools Week at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School.
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Prayer partners kindergartner Morgan Adams (left) and freshman Bailey Ferguson make cards for Meals on Wheels participants at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School during Catholic Schools Week.
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Kindergartner Justus Tibbs takes off to try and get his kite up in the air during Kite Day at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School on Friday. Photo by Jill Nance
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Lucio Pursad and other students work on coding during the Tech Kids Coding Camp at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School on Wednesday. Holy Cross, the Lynchburg Office of Economic Development, Randolph College and the Region 2000 Future Focus Foundation partnered together to launch the camp to introduce kids to computer programming and robotics. Photo by Jill Nance
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Carol Ann Pollard (left) and Jack Laneve hula hoop at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School's Fifties Fun Day in celebration of their accomplishments in their summer reading program on Friday. The elementary students who completed their summer reading goals were rewarded with the fun day including Fifties-themed games, prizes and a sock hop.
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Tom Bruzek of Holy Cross celebrates after scoring the winning goal during their game against Fredericksburg Christian Schools on Monday night.
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Holy Cross students Harrison Campbell (left) and Zach Morris work with volunteer Dave Dumonsau on their LEGO robot after school in preparation for the Lynchburg Regional LEGO League Robotics Competition to be held Saturday at Timberlake Christian School from 9am to 3pm. The "Gaelgo" club at Holy Cross meets once a week to program their robots.
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Jiggie Holt sings a hymn at a service for Holy Cross Catholic Church.
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New principal Mary Sherry greets students as they arrive at school on Tuesday at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School.
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New principal Mary Sherry greets Selena Lewis and other students as they arrive at school on Tuesday at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School.
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New principal Mary Sherry greets students as they arrive at school on Tuesday at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School.