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School HistoryFrom the Archives
The future of a parish rests in the children of the parish. Therefore, a thoroughly Catholic education for its children must be the primary aim of every parish. No sooner was the church completed than the pastor and the people began considering plans for a new school The site was chosen to the rear and left of the church, and on May 5, 1941, groundbreaking ceremonies were held. Rev. Father Conradin Wallbraun, O.F.M., secretary of the Province, turned over the first spade of earth. Erection of the new school soon followed, and on September 29, 1941, St. Paschal’s School opened its doors for the first time to 38 children. This number increased in the course of the next few years as grades were added. The first graduation class received their diplomas during the fifth anniversary year. The new school was formally blessed and dedicated by the Most Rev. Bishop Desmond on December 14,1941. THE COMING OF THE SISTERS Requests for teaching sisters to come to West Monroe were sent to various Franciscan communities of teaching Sisters in the United States. The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of perpetual Help, whose motherhouse is located in St. Louis, Missouri, graciously answered the call. The Reverend Superior General was happy to extend the field of their activities to the missionary territory of northern Louisiana. On September 26, 1941, three Franciscan Sisters from St. Louis arrived in West Monroe, to take charge of St. Paschal’s School. They were Sister M. Cecilia, superior and principal, Sister M. Armella, and Sister M. Berchmans. They established living quarters in the little four-room house, which was now available for them after the Fathers moved to their new friary. For two years this little home served their needs. With the coming of more Sisters, however, more space was needed; and so, in the summer months of 1943 a two-story addition was made to their convent and a large screened porch was added. The Convent now had room for ten or more Sisters. THE CAFETERIA Many of the children attending St. Paschal’s School came from a far distance and had to stay at school during the noon period. This fact, together with the attractiveness of the government’s free lunch program, suggested the erection of a separate building to provide warm and wholesome food for the children. This building, with the permission of the War Production Board, was constructed in the summer and autumn of 1944. It incorporated the garage and laundry into one large unit. In construction it matched the style of the other buildings. It also served as a parish hall and meeting room for the societies. Fr. Natalis continued the work of establishing a four-year high school. In the summer of 1948 two Army buildings were moved from a camp near Alexandria, Louisiana, to St. Paschal’s School grounds. To move them they were dismantled at Alexandria and reassembled here. A considerable sum of new material had to be bought. The two building cost only $98.00. (Dimensions 90’ x 25’). The transportation etc., was a considerable expense, but was much less than entirely new buildings. During the summer of 1949 Father Natalis saw the completion of the second high school building. In May 1950, Bishop Greco dedicated and blessed the completed high school structure. Due to many adverse circumstances St. Paschal’s High School has been abandoned. The former site is now used as parking area. Some day, perhaps, the dream will come true again. Fr. Odo Schmalz, O.F.M. succeeded Fr. Natalis as pastor in 1950. Imbued with missionary zeal from far off China, Fr. Odo provided for much needed expansion of the elementary division of the school. Under his pastorate the facilities of the school gym were realized in the fall of 1952. At 10:00PM February 1, 1956, neighbors discovered a fire raging in the Old High School Building. While waiting for the local fire department, Fathers Ardwin and Finian were the heroes; using several extinguishers, they kept the fire pretty well under control until the fire fighters arrived. The damage came to about $5,000.00—all well covered by insurance. The cause was unknown. Early in 1957, plans were laid for inaugurating a drive for $200,000.00 at St. Paschal’s for a new church and elementary school. Fr. Vitus, and committeemen Norman Many and Richard Jolissaint, estimated that between $80,000.00 and $100,000.00 in cash will be needed before actual construction can begin. At that time, 1957, 250 Catholic families were listed on the parish records; the Catholic population was rapidly increasing. At the present time, St. Paschal's numbers 500 families. December 3, 1958, at 3:00PM, the Most Reverend Charles P. Greco and Very Rev. Father Provincial presided at the dedicated St. Paschal’s new school and also preached. At 6:00PM Father provincial was celebrant of a solemn High Mass in the presence of Bishop Greco, at St. Paschal’s, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Franciscan province of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Erwin Huntscha O.F.M. and Fr. Cassian Nothbauer were deacon and sub deacon respectively. Fr. Vitus was master of ceremonies. Fr. Henry Freiburg, O.F.M., first pastor of St. Paschal’s, preached the sermon. The Mass was sung by the Friar’s choir under the direction of Fr. Manfred. A goodly gathering of Diocesan priests, Sisters, parishioners and visitors were in attendance. After the Mass, a banquet was served in the new school cafeteria for the clergy and invited guests. Bishop Greco and Fr. Provincial gave brief talks after the banquet. On December 7, 1958, open house was held for St. Paschal’s new school. |
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