Our History
History
Bishop Moore Catholic High School has a rich legacy of faith. Dating back to the mid-1800s and the inception of the Catholic Church in Florida, Orlando's first bishop, John Moore, advocated for quality in both education and doctrine. Since our founding in 1954, BMC has endeavored to build on the foundation of faith he left us by serving the families of our community with excellence and compassion.
Bishop John Moore
Born in 1835 in Ireland, John Moore immigrated to the United States as a teen. John settled in South Carolina with his sister, where he enrolled in seminary and earned a doctorate degree in theology. After being ordained in Rome in 1860, Father John served in the Diocese of Charleston before being elected the second Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Augustine in Florida. While in Florida, Bishop Moore purchased land for the first three Catholic churches in the Orlando area. He spent much of his time caring for the sick and recruiting priests and parishioners to grow the newly founded Florida church.
Sisters of St. Joseph
The Sisters of Saint Joseph are a congregation of religious women who work to alleviate conditions that cause poverty, suffering, and oppression in our community. Since 1954, the Sisters have supported BMC through staffing and volunteerism.
Our Crest
The Bishop Moore Catholic seal is symbolic of our ideals and principles. The Latin phrase "Virtus et Scientia" is translated to mean virtue and knowledge. The heart represents charity while the violets represent humility. The triangle symbolizes the Blessed Trinity. The lily in the left-hand corner represents purity; the carpenter's square symbolizes Saint Joseph, the patron saint of the Sisters of Saint Joseph who teach at Bishop Moore.
Timeline
1954
Orlando Central Catholic opened, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine.
1955
School name changes to Bishop Moore Catholic, graduating 24 students.
1959
New wing dedicated, housing a library and six additional classrooms.
1960
The new girls' school is completed — the first wing is known as Loretta Hall.
1962
Bishop Moore welcomes minor refugees from Cuba through Operation Pedro Pan.
1965
Heidrich Center dome is built at Bishop Moore.
A new convent and chapel for the Sisters of St. Joseph is built, now known as Mary Martha.
1967
First state championship in school history.
1969
The first Board of Directors is established.
1975
The first baseball game played on Hornet Field.
1976
Ribbon cutting for the Bishop Moore Spring Festival at the Heidrich Cultural Center.
1979
Mary Martha Hall was converted to house a new library, expanded arts and graphics facilities, new biology labs, and additional classrooms.
1981
Gold 500 campaign begins to raise funds for an on-campus stadium.
Hornet coaches challenge the Tampa Bay Bucs in a "friendly" game of basketball with ticket sales in the some of $3,500.
1982
First football game played in Memorial Stadium.
Athletic memorial monument erected.
1988
Capital Campaign for Excellence raised funds to air condition the entire campus and renovate restrooms accomplished in 1990.
1990
School's first endowment started called the Endowment and Charitable Trust.
Science labs undergo major renovation.
1992
The first class of the Athletic Hall-of-Fame is inducted.
1995
New roads, entrances, and other developments make campus more accessible.
2001
Endowment for Educational Excellence begins leading to the building of a gymnasium, parking lot, and new academic building.
2002
The "New Building," now called Bishop Dorsey Hall, opened with classrooms, a library, art labs, a band room, and administrative spaces.
First games played in the new gymnasium.
2003
Bishop Moore Catholic becomes Bishop Moore Catholic
2008
The Grow Moore Miracles capital campaign produces improvements to technology labs and stadium upgrades.
Harry Nelson Field at Memorial Stadium dedicated.
2010
Memorial Stadium locker rooms, facilities, new home bleachers, and concession stand are opened.
2011
The Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) Lab opens to promote collaborative learning utilizing technology.
2013
Turf field, track, cheer, and wrestling buildings opened.
2014
BMC transitions to completely digital resources on iPads.
2016
Demetree Library converted to Demetree Student Center with Hornet Café.
Dedicated space is created for Campus Ministry.
2017
Dome air-conditioned and renovated to house drama.
Dedication of baseball complex to Joe Skinner Field.
2018
Former nursery property purchased, classroom renovations, and Building Moore Campaign begins.
2021
Moore Canter for Excellence is dedicated, housing six classrooms, locker rooms, event space, film room, weight room, and spirit store, along with a new band building.