The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism (ORA) is purchasing the Venango Catholic High School property at 1505 W. 1st Street, Oil City, from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie Thursday.

The Diocese operated the school since 1962, but closed it at the end of the 2023-2024 school year due to low enrollment.

“We are very pleased to take stewardship of the VC property so that it can continue to be a meaningful component in the Oil City community and a resource for the greater Oil Region,” said John R. Phillips, II, ORA President and CEO.

The Oil City-based Alliance manages the Oil Region National Heritage Area, which includes all of Venango County and the southeast corner of Crawford County.

The ORA took over the Oil Region Venango Campus, which is adjacent to the high school property, from PennWest Clarion through a lease in 2024.

The campus’ 65 acres will add to the area’s outdoor recreation offerings through the construction of hiking and biking trails and rehabilitation of the West End Pond.

The Venango Catholic property, which includes a gym and ball field, will become an extension of the campus, nearly doubling its size to 110 acres, and expand opportunities to host even larger trainings and events.

The Alliance is hopeful for and encouraging of Venango Catholic’s alumni to remain “proud, active, and involved” with the site similar to how it hopes to keep the Clarion/PennWest alumni connected to the Venango Campus.

“We appreciate the trust the Diocese has put in the ORA,” Phillips said.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s March 2025 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.