The decade 1950’s is significant in more ways than one. It was during this period that India became a Republic and Economic planning was introduced to lift the country to a new plane of progress. As the euphoria of liberation was still on, people adorning the responsible and coveted positions did not lose sight of the needs of the country. Plans were afoot and schemes were in the pipeline to develop India economically and educationally.

The foundation stone of the college was laid on August 24, 1957 by Shri S. Nijalingappa, the then Honourable chief minister of Karnataka. The College building was inaugurated on July 1, 1958 by Shri. Anna Rao Gunamukhi, Minister for Education, Govt. of Karnataka.        Dr. K. V. Puttappa, Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University presided. It was a red letter day in the annals of the College.

The College began functioning with one degree programme and a one year pre-university course having 10 teachers and 121 students. Msgr Patrao made every effort to make the college equipped with the required facilities. The rich legacy of the Visionary Msgr Patrao was continued by the successive correspondents and the principals.

The College got the services of an outstanding scholar, educationist and administrator as the Founder Principal in the person of Rev. Fr. F. P. Serrao who continued to be the Principal for 17 years (1958 – 1975). The healthy and noble traditions instituted by him were continued and furthered by Rev. Fr. Henry Castelino (1975-1981), Rev. Fr. J. B. D’Souza (1981-1990), Rev. Fr. Lawrence Mendonca (1990-1996), Rev. Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhas (1996-2003), and Dr. John C. Miranda (2003-2006) – the Successive incumbents of the Office of the Principal respectively. Subsequently the present Principal, Rev. Fr. Francis X. Gomes took over the reins of the College in 2006 and he continues in this esteemed position till date, up keeping and consistently improving the rich and noble traditions and the academic excellence of the College. The first Post-Graduate Degree Programme (Master of Social Work) at the College was introduced during the tenures of Rev. Fr. Francis X. Gomes as the Principal and Very Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza as the Correspondent.

The first year B.A. and B.Sc. Degree Programmes were started in 1959. The hostel facilities too were set up parallely. In 1962, the B. Com. Degree Programme was added to the Courses offered at the College. Subsequently, the B. B. M. Degree course was introduced in 1995; and in 2000, the B. C. A. Degree course was started. The year 2005 witnessed the addition of B. S. W. Degree course at the College.

The College was bifurcated into two academic institutions in 2001, the St. Philomena Pre-University College, and St. Philomena College. In 2006, the St. Philomena P U College was shifted to the newly constructed building in the same campus. Further, a Post-Graduate Programme in Social Work (Master of Social Work – M.S.W.) was added to the spectrum of courses offered at the St. Philomena College in 2007.

The motherly care and nurturing tirelessly extended to the college by the respective correspondent and principals enabled the fledgling institution muster strength to become a full-fledged institution over the years. Its growth has been phenomenal carving a niche for itself in the field of higher education.

During its long tenure of existence the College has developed into a well known and prestigious institution in Karnataka and neighboring states for its discipline, academic record, extra-curricular activities and outstanding performance in sports and games.