In a Diocese but three years old, there was a growing need for spiritual service, ministering to a small but growing population, in the town then named Strattenport (known as College Point). Bishop Loughlin responded to the need and sent Father Joseph Huber to found a new parish in 1856. There was, at the time, a nucleus of some 20 German and 6 English speaking families who were Catholic. For the first 48 years, St. Fidelis was a one priest parish.
From the first building of a church structure as a place of worship, there soon grew a community desire for a parochial school. This need was met, and in 1883 the first Dominican sisters arrived to take over the teaching. From a one classroom beginning in the church basement to the present well equipped large school complex, the education of the children of St. Fidelis continues over the past 127 years, and now includes programs from Nursery (for 3 year olds) up to 8th grade.
Today, children from Grades K through 8 have a technology class twice a week using Windows PC computers. Children from grades 3 through 8 have the option of joining the school band and learning a musical instrument. The school is equipped with a state-of-the-art science lab in order to help students learn science through hands-on experiences.