Compass Community Schools Buy Property for $5 Million

The Catholic Diocese of Memphis today, Jan. 21, completed the sale of its Memphis Catholic property in Midtown to Compass Community Schools for $5 million. The Catholic Diocese of Memphis will use the proceeds from the sale for its Diocesan High School, St. Benedict at Auburndale, and its mission of a Catholic education.

“While the selling of our Memphis Catholic property was a difficult decision to make and one that was carefully thought through, we are grateful for the many years of fruitful, Catholic education and service the historic School offered to generations of families in the Memphis area,” said the Most Reverend David P. Talley, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. “We continue to prayerfully consider how Catholic education and the needs of the faithful can be met across the 15 Catholic Schools throughout our Diocese. We look forward, with hope, to new opportunities for all Schools through the work of the Holy Spirit.”

Memphis Catholic High and Middle School permanently ceased operations at the end of the 2018-19 academic year as part of closing all Jubilee inner-city schools. In July of 2019, Compass Community Schools opened its doors to students at several area locations. Today, Compass serves approximately 1,400 students across six campuses, which includes the Memphis Catholic property.

Bishop Talley added, “Our strong partnership with Compass Community Schools has ensured area students a variety of school options with exceptional educational opportunities. The purchase further builds on a Compass goal of a strong foundation left by our Jubilee schools. May God bless them, always.”

About Catholic Diocese of Memphis

The Catholic Diocese of Memphis was established in 1971 and presently consists of 47 parishes and missions with 15 Catholic schools (diocesan, parochial and private) in four deaneries across 21 counties in West Tennessee. More than 70,000 Catholics make this diverse, vibrant and faith-filled diocese their home. Led by Bishop David P. Talley, the Diocese of Memphis is committed to helping the faithful encounter the living Christ through conversion, communion, service and unity. The Diocese of Memphis respectfully serves all God’s children, regardless of their religious beliefs, socio-economic status or ethnic background. Please visit us at cdom.org.