Our Hero and Model: Archbishop James Patterson Lyke, O.F.M.
With the late Archbishop James P. Lyke, we believe that education is the key to the future for our young people. His vision for the education of urban children working toward academic excellence and remembering their heritage is lived out at the school named in his honor.
- Born in Chicago on February 18, 1937
- Ordained a Franciscan priest on June 24, 1966
- Teacher at Padua High School in Parma - 1967-70
- St. Thomas Parish, Memphis TN - 1970 -77
- St. Benedict the Black Parish, Grambling LA 1977-79
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland - 1979
- Appointed Archbishop of Atlanta - July 10, 1990
- Died of cancer - December 27, 1992
- Archbishop Lyke School named in his honor 1993
Franciscan priest, teacher, pastor, first African-American Bishop in Cleveland, Archbishop of Atlanta, and humble servant of God, James Patterson Lyke was passionately committed to the struggles of bringing equal opportunity to all people, especially to his brothers and sisters in the Black community. During his eleven years as an Auxiliary Bishop in Cleveland he worked as a peacemaker promoting the Catholic values which taught him "that every person no matter how poor, is created in God's image and is worthy of my respect. I have a responsibility to help my brothers and sisters." Archbishop Lyke students are challenged to honor his heritage by claiming his motto: Christ our Peace.