Saint Louis School
TexasIn September 1868, two Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence from Nancy, France arrived in Castroville, Texas to form a branch of the order. The Sisters immediately opened a school for St. Louis Catholic parish, teaching in the tiny first parish church, with 36 students enrolled. Sometime between 1868 and 1870 St. Louis Catholic parish completed a two-story school with four classrooms on the same block and by 1873 there were 130 students registered.
That school served the parish until overcrowded conditions, in 1925, motivated the parish to build a new school building. This red brick school, used today, contained four large classrooms and living quarters for the Sisters who formed the faculty of St. Louis School. In 1928, under Father Jacob Lenzen, work began creating a high school and the first commencement was held in 1935 with four graduates. Four classrooms were built in 1938 to accommodate the high school department. In 1950 additional classrooms were constructed for the high school. During the next eighteen years the parish added an annex of classrooms, facilities for the athletic department, and built a new home for the teaching Sisters.
The socio-religious changes of the late 1960`s were reflected in the community and opinion changed favoring public school education. The constant struggle keeping abreast of state educational requirements, improving both academic and athletic programs, and skyrocketing operational costs resulted in a decision to close St. Louis School in 1968. Over 100 years of Catholic School education under the Sisters of Divine Providence ended in St. Louis parish.
The school building was utilized by the parish for religious education and parish community center until late 1985. A handful of parishioners informally discussing the feasibility of reestablishing St. Louis School led to more meetings. Under the guidance of Pastor Patrick Ragsdale, the group began to envision the voices, laughter, and songs of children vibrating again through the halls of historic St. Louis School.
A steering committee was formed, and a survey was presented to the parish in January, 1986. Prior to this survey, both enthusiastic verbal support as well as staunch verbal dissent surfaced. The results of the survey showed a 76% overall approval for the reestablishment of St. Louis Catholic School, and plans moved forward.
The Catholic Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools was consulted, and the steering committee working together with an appointed school board laid the groundwork. Several parish schools in the San Antonio area offered guidance and help. Genevieve Turk`s experience at St. Luke`s Catholic School was invaluable in working through the "red tape." She worked closely with Father Ragsdale and the committee in developing marketing, finding adequate funding, and preparing a workable budget. The committee obtained guidelines on state and federal health laws from the Department of Human Resources. The plans were then submitted to the Archdiocesen Superintendent of Schools for approval.
A target date of September,1986 was set in the hope of opening with a Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade classes. The final decision opened St. Louis Child Development Center (SLCDC) in September, offering a prekindergarten class for eighteen local youngsters.
At the close of the second year, increased interest made it possible to open a Kindergarten class as well as the Pre-K class. The following year, 1989, there were two Pre-K classes, one Kindergarten, and one first grade, and SLCDC now officially became St. Louis Catholic School. Every year thereafter a grade was added until the predetermined cap of 5th grade was accomplished. This long-range planning process of reopening St. Louis Catholic School was used as a model and inspiration to other parishes in the Archdioceses for opening elementary schools.
In May of 2001, the first class to finish 5th grade at St. Louis School will be graduating from Medina Valley High School.
Currently, St. Louis Catholic School is operating at capacity with a total enrollment of nearly 250 students. The school has been fortunate to have pastors who support the Catholic School concept and to again have Sisters of Divine Providence on the faculty, the principal and two teachers, and many dedicated lay teachers. The school has an endowment fund and enjoys the financial help of many foundations and businesses. Because of the commitment to Christian education for young children, this school has been revitalized and successful through the efforts of dedicated teachers and the involvement of literally hundreds of parent and interested volunteers.
For more information contact:
Carole Romano
Phone: 830/931-6397
Fax: 830/538-6321
lcr_csr@juno.com
