History of Nerinx Hall

When Webster College applied for affiliation with the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities, the Sisters were required to conduct the college and the high school courses in separate buildings. Although the Sisters were inclined to discontinue their high school program in Webster Groves, area residents prevailed and the high school department moved into the Old Lockwood mansion in 1924. The new high school was named Nerinx Hall, after Father Charles Nerinckx, founder of the Sisters of Loretto Standing at the Foot of the Cross.

Through the years, the Lockwood House was enlarged by annexes until new buildings were constructed on the grounds. In 1947 a gymnasium was erected and in 1953 the school moved out of Lockwood House into a new school building. Even this new building saw many renovations through the years, including reconstruction of the gymn after a fire in 1985 and remodelling completed in September of 1996. In 1994, the growth marked a full cycle: Nerinx expanded back into its original space with classrooms and offices created once more in the old Lockwood House. In 2006 work began on a Theatre / Fine Arts annex, completion to be followed by upgrading the athletic field.

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