About the College
Our history
The College's story begins fifty years before it opened, in a stable in Waterford, Ireland, where a widowed merchant started teaching the boys nobody else would.
The Christian Brothers were founded in Ireland in the early 1800s by Edmund Rice, a widower called to devote his life and wealth to the education of young people at a time when Irish youth were subjected to humiliation and demoralisation. In 1800 he handed over his business, and in 1802 opened his first school in a stable in New Street, Waterford. His concern did not stop at education: he employed a baker and a tailor to feed and clothe the boys who attended, visited the imprisoned, and performed the other works of mercy. Others joined him. Together they became the first Christian Brothers.
In 1897 the first Brothers were invited to Southern Africa, to Kimberley. The school succeeded, and colleges followed: Pretoria in 1922, Boksburg and Cape Town in 1934, and further schools at Woodstock, Galeshewe, Bloemfontein, Athlone and Welkom.
Christian Brothers' College, Bulawayo opened in 1953, bringing the tradition to Matabeleland. Since the 1970s the Brothers have also conducted schools at Embakwe in Zimbabwe and across the region, and here in Bulawayo they remain involved in upgrading local schools and in a feeding scheme that serves nearly 2,000 underprivileged children every day.
Seven decades, briefly
1802
Edmund Rice opens his first school
In a stable in New Street, Waterford, Ireland, a widowed merchant begins teaching the boys the world had written off. Others join him; they become the Christian Brothers.
1897
The Brothers reach Southern Africa
The first Christian Brothers are invited to Kimberley, South Africa. Colleges follow in Pretoria (1922), Boksburg and Cape Town (1934).
1953
CBC Bulawayo opens
St Patrick's Christian Brothers' College opens in Matsheumhlophe, Bulawayo, bringing the Edmund Rice tradition to Matabeleland.
2013
A Rhodes Scholar's class
The Class of 2013 graduates; among them Andile Dube, who will win the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford in 2019.
2014
Sixty years of education
The College marks its diamond jubilee with a commemorative crest: 60 Years of Education.
2018
The best courts in Bulawayo
Six tennis courts are commissioned on the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice, described at their opening as the best in the city. The first Africa Day culture festival fills the D I Thomson Quad.
2019
A year of silverware
The Eagles take the CHISZ Runners-up Shield, the Debate Society wins the international trophy in Botswana, and Andile Dube wins the Rhodes Scholarship.
2021
Records in the water
CBC swimmers break national records and Denilson Cyprianos swims for Carson-Newman in the NCAA. Forty-seven boys earn Colours Awards for the year's Cambridge examinations.
2023
Seventy years young
The College celebrates its 70th anniversary, still growing: new courts, new clubs, and the same motto it started with.
The next chapter is written every January
Form One places for the coming year are limited. Begin your son's application early.