n 1875, Dr. Fennelly, Archbishop of Madras, invited the ‘Brothers of St. Patrick’ to his diocese for taking over the management of a home for the poor boys, which had been founded by Archbishop Carew in 1850. Responding to this invitation, Bro. Ignatius Price, Bro. Paul Hughes and Bro. Fintan Parkinson set out for Madras from Mountrath (Ireland). On arrival, they took over the home,transformed it home-cum-school for the poor boys. They were the pioneers of the Patrician Brothers’ mission in India. The school and home was in Armenian street, the heart of the city at that time. In fact, the Brothers also taught and managed the present St. Mary’s School for 10 years.Elphinstone Park, Adyar, a property of about 158 acres with a large building was bought by the Brothers on the 1st July 1885, and the home and the school for the oboys were transferred there. It was during the incumbency of Bro. Aloysius Hogan in 1889, that the school made much progress. The school band greatly helped the inmates in getting into the military bands of regiments scattered all over India and Burma. Even the famous Governor’s Band consisted mainly of St. Patrick’s boys. During World War II, the institution was shifted to Coimbatore Government Arts College and it functioned there till June 1946.1st July 1910, was the 25th anniversary of the institution, after shifting from Armenian Street to Elphinstone Park, Adyar. At this juncture, funds were raised to build dormitories and more classrooms. The construction was started on March 17th 1913, St. Patrick’s Feast Day, and was completed in 1915 at a total cost of Rs.73,700/-.