Marist Catholic High School had its beginnings in a single room of the old St. Mary's Elementary School located on the corner of 11th and Lincoln in Eugene. The first Freshman class enrolled in 1918, and four years later, seven young women comprised the first graduating class. The school was staffed and operated by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary who arrived in Oregon from Montreal, Canada in 1859.

Because only one parish existed in Eugene during the first half of the twentieth century, St. Mary's offered the only parish school. Eventually, enrollment outgrew the building. By the 1950's, Eugene had added three new parishes and students from these parishes formed the new Catholic high school community. Named after Bishop Leipzig, St. Francis High School (now O'Hara Catholic School), built on West 18th Street, opened its doors to 108 students in 1950 and was part of the Archdiocesan system of Catholic education. During the 16 years of its existence, enrollment grew beyond its boundaries.

On May 23, 1967, ground breaking ceremonies launched the construction of Marist Catholic High School. By September of 1968, on what just a few years previously had been 30 acres of lush Oregon farmland along the banks of the Willamette River, stood a spacious modern facility dedicated to the continuing Chrisian education of youth. The school was then