The story of the man called St Lawrence takes us back to the 3rd century A.D. to the City of Rome. Tradition offers glimpse of his rich personality and strength of character. In the early centuries of our modern era, the emperors of decadent Rome embodied the vices of the society of their time : nepotism, corruption and oppression of the poor. Little wonder that the Roman authorities mistrusted
the educational and charitable activities of the Church. Its ministers and members were arrested and thrown into jail. In the year 257, the Pope was condemned to death. Shortly after, it was Lawrence's turn to be put on trial. Lawrence was a deacon or administrator, in charge of the distribution of the Church's revenues to the poor. 

The Prefect of Rome, the highest official of the city, came to know of Lawrence's responsibility over the Church's treasury. Hoping to strike a good deal for himself by putting pressure on Lawrence he ordered him to hand over the Church's revenues, "because," he said, "the Emperor needs them for the maintenance of his armies." "I will show you a valuable part of the Church's riches," answered
Lawrence, "give me a little time to make an inventory." 

Lawrence went all over searching out in every hovel of Imperial Rome the small people and the poor, those whom he served. Three days later he led them in procession to the Roman official. "Here are the true riches of the Church," he said. On seeing that he was outdone and out of hatred for the man's religious faith, the Prefect ordered Lawrence to be put to death. Lawrence was stripped, his body stretched out and bound with chains on an iron grid over a slow fire. Many were present, rich and poor alike. They collected the martyr's remains and gave him an honourable burial. It was the 10th of August of the year 258 A.D. 

The founder
Father Lawrence Rodrigues S.J.(1895-1990)

Father Lawrence Rodrigues was born on August 10th, 1895. He was a goan priest of the diocese of Damaun who joined the Society of Jesus for Calcutta. His great years were at Boitakhana, where he ran the Little Flower Press, and the St Ann's School and Orphanage. He was a man of vision. He had a great capacity to raise funds and he knew how to use them profitably. His purchase of the land of St Lawrence High School was an example of his far sightedness. It was a part of his vision of building up a strong local church. So too was Dhyan Ashram - a place for spiritual retreats - and his efforts to buy land for Morning Star College, where candidates to the priesthood could be trained. After Boitakhana, he worked for many years in the villages of the 24 Parganas, in the South of Bengal. He spent many years in retirement in St Xavier's College, Calcutta, and died at the age of 94 on March 27th, 1990. 

Read all about the the Origins of St Lawrence High School. 
(Quoted from an interview of the founder by Mr S.V. Raman.)

From the beginnings to our days
(By late Sri A.D. Hazra, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee).

Articles by :
Sreemoy Banerjee 
Anirban Banerjee

Interview with :
Rajat Bhattacharyya

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The School History
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