Maryhill College () formerly Maryknoll is a non-stock, non-profit Roman Catholic basic and higher educational institution in Lucena City, Philippines. It was founded in 1938 initially named as Lucena Catholic School and eventually become Maryknoll Academy on the same year . The school is part of the mission of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic . The school has basic education which is composed of primary and secondary education, and also has higher education.
History
The history of Maryhill College dates back to 1938 when the Bishop of Lipa, Alfredo Versoza, D.D., together with Fr. Ulric Arcand, MEP a Canadian priest who belongs to the Paris Foreign Missions Society and Don Daniel Marquez envisioned to have a Maryknoll school in Lucena City. They started to implement their vision to establish a school by constructing a school building and was initially called Lucena Catholic School. the moment of grace was coupled with the arrival of the first Maryknoll Sisters in the same year. They were Sr. Mary de Chantal, Sr. Maria Concepcion, and Sr. Maura Shaun.
The intensified school Operation focused on these goals: to lead souls to God, to train the minds of the students by providing solid Catholic Education preparing them for life, and to form a lay apostolate among the youth who would fearlessly and intelligently keep the faith alive and responsibly share it with others.
The Maryknoll Sisters, imbued with spiritual in-depth, educational leadership skills and passion for spiritual formation, forged the first 250 students to learning. Eventually the school was officially named Maryknoll Academy, the school momentarily ceased operation due to the outbreak of World War II in 1941.
World War II and post-war development
During World War II, Maryknoll Academy temporarily ceased operations as its campus was used as a garrison by the Japanese forces during the occupation of Lucena. It resumed its operation in 1945 and obtained Government Recognition from the Bureau of Private Education for its Elementary and Secondary courses in 1946, A long period of stability and growth followed.
Maryknoll Rapid expansion efforts in both infrastructures and academics were facilitated by the following Maryknoll Sisters at the helm of the school's administration: Sr. Robert Marie (1953-1955), Sr. Stephen Marie (1956-1958), Sr. Carmen Eser (1959-1962),
During the tenure of Sr. Joseph Aileen (1962-1968) as school Principal, the rapid student population growth necessitated the construction of a two-storey building in 1958; As an outreach program, the school initiated the opening of an extension campus in llasan, Tayabas, Quezon in 1968. it made available to the youth in llasan, Tayabas, Quezon an affordable Catholic education. (until 1976 when it became the San Roque Parochial School under the administration of the Parish). When Sr. Ancilla Marie (1968-1973) was the school Principal, the school offered a night high school and Vocational courses to serve the needs of those who are working at daytime and interested in attending school after work. The first enrolees of the program were 76 students comprising house aides, tricycle drivers and sales ladies. This Night High School program prospered until 1979. .
Transition from Maryknoll Sisters to Diocese of Lucena and Lay Administration
After the Second Vatican Council, the Maryknoll congregation began to evaluate its work in the light of their original apostolate as a missionary order. In the 1960s, the Maryknoll congregation saw the readiness of the Filipino Catholic to continue the education mission they had started. In 1977, the ownership of the school was turned over to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lucena and management of the school was turned over to lay administrators. In accordance with the agreement, the name Maryknoll was to be changed to pave the way for the promotion of the school's unique identity, distinct although not disconnected from the identity of the Maryknoll sisters. In 1976, after a series of consultations, Maryknoll Academy was renamed Maryhill Academy.
The administration was entrusted to Ms. Lourdes C. Glinoga as Directress; Mr. Victor Panopio, as High School Principal and Mrs. Corazon C. Belarmino, as Grade School Principal. Committed to the tasks entrusted as educational leaders.
another extension building was built behind the cathedral's Rectory called the lay administration building, The buildings’ strategic location created a quadrangle inside the campus where student gatherings were held.