The first school in the Hamilton Diocese, St. Augustine, opened in Dundas in 1857 with 105 children.

In 1869 a new frame school on Alma Street was erected and the original school on Sydenham Street became St. Augustine's Church Rectory, as it is to this day.

The frame school was partly destroyed by fire in 1902 and was replaced by a brick structure. In 1931 the present red brick-building was built, largely through the efforts and financial backing of the Pastor, the late Monsignor Gehl, and the School Board Chairman at that time, the late James Grightmire.

Two rooms were added to the school in 1950 and four more in 1952. In 1960 St. Augustine's was further enlarged by the addition of six classrooms, gymnasium, principal's office and teacher's dining rooms.

From the beginning, the Sisters of St. Joseph and many dedicated lay teachers have laboured in this vineyard of education. The Principal at the time this article was written (1969), Sister Francis, says that no account of St. Augustine's, however sketchy, would be complete without a mention of Sister Marcella (Hogan) who was principal from 1944 until her death in 1963. She was an outstanding teacher loved and respected by students and parents alike and particularly remembered as a wise and kindly counsellor to children in difficulties.