Is the late 1950s school officials launched a $1 million fundraising campaign to build a ‘new’ Judge. Eventually over $1.5 million was raised and the new school was completed in the early ’60s.

According to Judge historian Mike Gorrell, Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal blessed the new Judge Memorial High School building on Jan. 14, 1962. He was accompanied by altar boys, he walked from the gymnasium through the halls and into every classroom in the building, spreading Holy Water and echoing prayers.

Bishop Federal then returned to the gym, where he delivered a dedicatory address and a solemn benediction. An open house followed.

“This is an important milestone in Catholic education in the Diocese of Salt Lake. It is an important occasion for our community,” Federal said. “I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Catholics who have been faithful to their pledges. It is their support that has made this school possible. Their sacrifices will be blessed by Him who blesses all sincere giving. Their sacrifices will result in a blessing in our community for years to come.”

He added that his predecessor, Bishop Duane Hunt, who died in 1960, “would have loved this day. Surely he approves and asks divine blessings on this school.”

The school newspaper at the time was named the Judgeonian, and an article in it observed that “sightseers inspected the wide halls and large, bright classrooms, which were a dramatic contrast to the narrow halls and drab interior of the venerable old building.”

Now as Judge pursue’s plans to relocate the current campus, the fundraising campaign will need a lot more than $1 million.