Pittsburg’s St. Peter Martyr School celebrates 75 years

“SPM through the Decades,” a museum-in-a-school unique exhibit, allowed hundreds of alumni, students, families and community members to learn about the history of St. Peter Martyr Catholic School in Pittsburg and to share their own reflections on the 75-year history of the school.  

Along with the museum, lunch and homemade desserts, those who joined in the festivities on April 26 enjoyed a performance by current students, a student speaker, State of the School address by principal Katie Wilson, music, a photo booth, games and prizes.  

History teacher Joanne Davi worked with the school’s students to prepare displays about each decade of the school’s history, along with stories about its origins: the City of Pittsburg as an Italian fishing village, the legacy of the patron saint Peter Martyr, the consequential leaders and teachers over the last 75 years, and the innovations in education for which the school is now known. Campus corridors were also decorated with student-made posters depicting significant cultural events for each of the 75 years of the school’s history. 

Graylin Bartley ‘70, left, was one of the first students when St. Peter Martyr School,  a Lumen Christi Academy, opened its doors 75 years ago in Pittsburg. He shared memories with other alumni at a celebration on April 26, and enjoyed the work of current students in turning the school into a museum to celebrate its alumni and their accomplishments. One of those alumna is the current principal, Katie Wilson ‘00, right. Photo courtesy St. Peter Martyr School, Pittsburg.A proud handful of alumni in their late seventies offered that they were the children who opened the school.  

When they attended St. Peter Martyr, tuition was $40 a year, which was not pocket change in 1950. One man added that his father had to work a little extra each month to cover the expense. They recalled their teachers — all nuns — who would drive the children to church every week, and then they would enjoy warm donuts and hot chocolate at the little shop across the street. “I love this school,” one of them said softly.  

Another alumnus, Graylin Bartley, said he was the first African American to attend the school from first grade through eighth grade graduation in 1970. “In all my years here, there was no racism,” he said. Sitting with several members of his class — the largest class in the school at the time with 50 students — Bartley traveled from Utah to attend the school’s anniversary event. “I would’ve come from Alaska,” he said, becoming emotional.  

The school’s anniversary celebration culminates with Mass celebrating the feast of St. Peter Martyr on April 29, 2025.