History

A brief history of the school...

 

2009     A Pre-School was added to St. Stephen's School.  The classroom was created in the old nursery space in the Church building.  A new teacher and teachers aid were hired. 

   

2002     Due to changes in District 11 busing, St. Stephen’s changed from half day kindergarten to all day every day kindergarten.

   

2001     Father Mike Van Sloun, O.S.C. was inducted as pastor at St. Stephen Church and continued his duties as superintendent of the school.

   

1999     Father Mike Van Sloun, O.S.C. was appointed the superintendent by Father Mike Paquet, the pastor.

   

1991     26 teachers and 1 principal staffed the 440 students.  Crosier Fr. Mike Paquet, O.S.C. was the pastor and acting superintendent.  The parish had a population of over 4,000 families and there was a long range planning process in place to more fully meet the needs of the people.

   

1989    The new addition was built onto the school.  Through this building campaign, the school gained a new computer lab, front entry, offices and conference rooms.

   

1966    One June 1, the Archbishop appointed Father Karl Wittman as new pastor and charged him with the responsibility for building a new church to meet the growing community needs.  He also renovated portions of the school including adding a stage and gym, which served as a place for Mass since the old church was too small to accommodate parishioners.

   

1956    With the number of school students approaching 600, four additional classrooms were added.  Six additional classrooms were added in 1961.

   

1950    The new St. Stephen’s School building opened and welcomed students in September.  Classes were offered Kindergarten through 8th grade for 400 students.

   

1949    In January, the State Fire Marshall condemned St. Anne’s School.  Also this year the Sisters of St. Joseph, who had replaced the Mercy Sisters, resigned their affiliation with the parish.  The Presentation Sisters from Aberdeen, South Dakota were invited to run the school.

   

1894    St. Anne’s Convent Grade School was opened March 24, 1894, by the Sister’s of St. Joseph.  The Sister’s of Mercy had been located here for a number of years before this.  In this first school there were two teachers and lamps were used for lighting and stoves for heating.  The first Sisters of St. Anne’s Convent after it was taken over by the Sisters of St. Joseph were Mother Aurelia, Sister Agatha, Sister Francis Joseph, Sister Vincentia, and Sister Auatolia.

   

1891    Father Thomas Duane came to St. Stephen’s when the community had fallen on hard times as the local flour mills were passing out of existence.  Crops were poor and prices low.  Parishioners rallied their support behind a number of festivals and fund raisers, gradually wiping out a $10,000 debt and providing three altars, stone steps, church decorations and the bell.

   

 

1888    A new church was needed. Father Brennan sought donations of building materials and construction began on a new church that was dedicated by Archbishop Ireland on July 21, 1889 even though the country was in a depression.   It was officially named “St. Stephen” after the first martyr.

   

1884    St. Anne School continued to develop a well respected curriculum and charged day students $3.25 every six weeks, (approximately $20 for the entire year.)  Meanwhile, boarding students paid a tidier sum of $15 per month, (approximately $135 for the entire year.)

   

1882    On June 4, the first recorded communion class of ten girls received the sacrament following instruction from the Sisters.  Father Daniel Reilly and Father Martin Connolly were successive pastors and Father William Brennan arrived in 1883.

   

1881    Under the direction of the new pastor, Father Michael Bruton, the parish welcomed the Sisters of Mercy as teachers and caregivers for the sick of the community.  The John McDonnel home was given to the parish and converted to a convent and school.  St. Anne School was dedicated in September 1881.  A Mr. Vader was so enthusiastic about the sister’s work that he supplied the convent with milk for 21 years.