By: Greg Guzman, Central City Ministry of Toledo
The Central City Ministry of Toledo (CCMT) is Diocesan-wide ministry of the Diocese of Toledo. CCMT is comprised of the oldest, and only remaining, inner-city K-8 Catholic Schools in Toledo. CCMT Schools include Rosary Cathedral Catholic School and Queen of Apostles Catholic School.
- Did you know? 99% of CCMT graduates, who stay within this system of education, graduate from high school.
Queen of Apostles Catholic School was established circa 1867 making it the oldest continually operational K-8 in the City of Toledo (private or public). Rosary Cathedral Catholic School was established in 1915.
Even before the City of Toledo (OH) existed, Catholic missionaries were here in NW Ohio serving the educational and health needs of its inhabitants. While the landscape has changed over the centuries, the needs and commitment to serve, as Jesup W. Scott said, this “future great city” has carried forth through the ministry of Catholic education.
To address the changes in Toledo’s societal and geodemographic landscape over the years, and to ensure a commitment to Catholic education within Toledo’s central city, Rev. Father Dale Werner convinced Toledo Bishop John Donovan in 1970 to create an organizational structure that would always provide Toledo’s inner-city residents with an opportunity to attend a faith based school, regardless of socio-economic status. With additional support from, Rev. Father Bernard Boff and Mr. John Anderson, of The Andersons Corporation, the Central City Ministry Department was created, which was later renamed to Central City Ministry of Toledo (CCMT).
Over time, over 20 schools have been a part of this Diocesan-wide ministry known as CCMT. Today, CCMT is comprised of the only two remaining inner-city Catholic schools in Toledo Ohio, Rosary Cathedral Catholic School (est. 1915) and Queen of Apostles Catholic School (circa 1867 – Immaculate Conception School, a.k.a. “The Darby”).
CCMT has approximately 50 employees between both schools with an annual K-8 enrollment of well-over 400 students. Serving the neediest families, CCMT is a 100% free-and-reduced lunch classified school due to extreme poverty. Each school has a community-business partner, Queen of Apostles’ Business Partner is The Andersons and Rosary Cathedral’s Business Partner is Mercy Health.
Even before the City of Toledo (OH) existed, Catholic missionaries were here in NW Ohio serving the educational and health needs of its inhabitants. While the landscape has changed over the centuries, the needs and commitment to serve, as Jesup W. Scott said, this “future great city” has carried forth through the ministry of Catholic education.
To address the changes in Toledo’s societal and geodemographic landscape over the years, and to ensure a commitment to Catholic education within Toledo’s central city, Rev. Father Dale Werner convinced Toledo Bishop John Donovan in 1970 to create an organizational structure that would always provide Toledo’s inner-city residents with an opportunity to attend a faith based school, regardless of socio-economic status. With additional support from, Rev. Father Bernard Boff and Mr. John Anderson, of The Andersons Corporation, the Central City Ministry Department was created, which was later renamed to Central City Ministry of Toledo (CCMT).
Over time, over 20 schools have been a part of this Diocesan-wide ministry known as CCMT. Today, CCMT is comprised of the only two remaining inner-city Catholic schools in Toledo Ohio, Rosary Cathedral Catholic School (est. 1915) and Queen of Apostles Catholic School (circa 1867 – Immaculate Conception School, a.k.a. “The Darby”).
CCMT has approximately 50 employees between both schools with an annual K-8 enrollment of well-over 400 students. Serving the neediest families, CCMT is a 100% free-and-reduced lunch classified school due to extreme poverty. Each school has a community-business partner, Queen of Apostles’ Business Partner is The Andersons and Rosary Cathedral’s Business Partner is Mercy Health.
Community Involvement:
CCMT students and staff are involved in a number of service activities from community gardening to feeding the hungry through various pantry programs. Additionally, CCMT has recently taken on educational and informational programming to combat child sex trafficking and the heroin epidemic.
Interesting:
CCMT students and staff are involved in a number of service activities from community gardening to feeding the hungry through various pantry programs. Additionally, CCMT has recently taken on educational and informational programming to combat child sex trafficking and the heroin epidemic.
Interesting:
- 95% of CCMT students who graduate from high school continue onward to college.
- CCMT graduates include: the late Mayor of Toledo - D. Michael Collins, Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez, and others representing professions of civic stewardship, doctors, lawyers, scientists, laborers, and, of course teachers!
- For the 3rd consecutive year, CCMT has been named a Top Work Place by The Toledo Blade and Workplace Dynamics making it the most awarded or recognized school, district, or system in NW Ohio for this honor.
- CCMT is comprised of the oldest, public or private, operational K-8 elementary school in the City of Toledo.
- It has been empirically proven that sending children to inner-city Catholic schools saves taxpayers’ money, reduces crime rates, lowers social decay, and increases overall quality of living.
Please contact Emily Dammeyer, Communications Manager, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to submit a story for our blog.
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