Brief History

Kwun Tong Maryknoll College is the third secondary school opened in Hong Kong by the Maryknoll Fathers, a society of Catholic priests and brothers founded in the United States in 1911. At that time there were only two "Maryknollers" - Father James A.Walsh and Father Frederick Price. They came together to start a missionary work which has since grown into a society of over a thousand priests, brothers and students dedicated to bringing the knowledge and love of God to the people of 18 countries around the world.

The name "Maryknoll" comes from two words - "Mary" and "knoll". The first major seminary of the society was built on a small hill or "knoll" which was dedicated to Christ's Blessed Mother Mary; thus the name "Mary's knoll" later simplified to Maryknoll. The Maryknoll Fathers first came to South China in 1918 and one of the co-founders, Fr. Price, died in Hong Kong. At one time there were over 150 Maryknoll Fathers working in South China until their expulsion from the mainland in 1950. Now there are members of the society in Hong Kong serving in parishes, schools, welfare and social centres and working with factory employees and many other groups.