Americans thrived during the Roaring ‘20s, enjoying a booming economy, jazz music and the mass-produced Ford Model T.

Locally, construction began on the iconic Pennsylvania Power & Light building.

As early as 1913, however, the Diocese of Allentown saw increasing enrollment at its two-year commercial school in the basement of the former Sacred Heart School. To meet the demand, Monsignor Peter Masson decided to construct a new high school at Fourth and Chew streets to provide four years of Catholic secondary education. However, Masson’s unexpected death put the project on hold.

It was not until September 1926 that the first freshman class enrolled at Allentown Central Catholic High School. That inaugural class consisted of five female students and one male student.

One hundred years later, more than 200 members of the Allentown Central Catholic High School community gathered Aug. 23 to kick off the centennial celebration of the school’s motto: “Faith, Tradition and Excellence.”

Sean Gallagher, chairman of the Centennial Campaign, said he represents four generations of ACCHS graduates. Just as Masson did a century ago, Gallagher outlined plans for the school’s future growth.

The capital campaign includes a new field house and football field in South Whitehall Township, as well as a new “Gateway to the Pits” entrance at the center-city campus. Originally estimated at $6 million to $8 million, the project cost is now projected at $12 million to $15 million. Gallagher said more than 50% of the funds have already been raised, including a $100,000 gift from a single donor.

“With this commitment, we are not going anywhere,” Gallagher said. “We are staying right here in Center City Allentown.”

Joining Gallagher at the kickoff event were school mascots Viking Connor Lawler and Vikette Julia Janis, who explained that while 2026 marks the school’s 100th year of operation, the 100th graduating class will be the Class of 2030.

Teachers and students researched the school’s history through yearbooks, artifacts and photographs. The resulting display boards document the school’s transformation from a basement classroom to its current campus. The exhibits are on display in Masson Hall and will remain there indefinitely.

Lawler said he felt “naive” while examining black-and-white photographs from the school’s history.

“The pictures allow us to visualize the classrooms and appreciate those who came before us and paved the way,” Lawler said.

Lawler said it is important to recognize that although classrooms, clothing and hairstyles have changed over the decades, much remains the same. He pointed to photographs showing students in what appeared to be physics or chemistry classes working with liquids in glass bottles.

“We do not really do this in today’s classrooms, but the learning is the same,” he said. “We just use different tools today.”

“They looked happy to be there cheering for their school, and we do the same thing today,” he said.

Despite the passage of time, many of the experiences and traditions that connect generations of Vikings remain unchanged.

Members of the Class of 1969, including Pat (Scarbo) Lower, Patti Danko and Maryann Higgins, joined more than 200 alumni, students, faculty members and family members for a celebratory Mass in Masson Hall.

After Mass, visitors viewed the historical displays before making their way to “the Pits.” Food trucks and a large tent with tables and chairs gave attendees an opportunity to enjoy the afternoon while sharing memories and looking ahead to the future.

Natalie (Rutz) Solderich, a member of the Class of 1997, attended with her daughter Emily, an ACCHS sophomore.

“Faith. Tradition. And Excellence. These have not changed,” Lawler said.