By Paula Graham
Catholic Herald correspondent
OLS School celebrates 90 years
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Three Our Lady of Sorrows principals, Stan Schmit, left, Tami Stewart and Sr. Ambrose Vogel, OSM, attended the school's 90th anniversary celebration. Schmit was principal in 1987 and Stewart has been principal for seven years. Vogel graduated from eighth grade at the school in 1932, taught music there in the '40s and '50s and served as principal in 1969 and 1970. (Photo by Paula Graham) |
LADYSMITH --On Sunday, Oct. 20, Our Lady of Sorrows School alumni, family and friends gathered to honor the school's 90-year anniversary. Following Mass, the school hosted an open house and breakfast served by the Knights of Columbus Council 2481.
Ninety years ago, St. Mary's School opened its doors to 96 students in grades one through eight. The dream of founding a parochial school in Ladysmith dates back to 1910 when Servite Friars assumed administration of St. Mary Parish. Groundbreaking for the building that would house the church, school and living quarters for the teaching sisters took place on April 18, 1912.
Finding teachers for the school proved difficult. The friars sent requests to communities of teaching sisters throughout the United States and Europe, receiving only negative responses. When Fr. Boniface Efferenn, a young Servite priest, counseled five sisters to move to Ladysmith to establish an American branch of the Servite Sisters, St. Mary's School became a reality.
The sisters arrived by train Sept. 19, 1912. They began to enroll students and gather books and teaching materials. School opened on Oct. 10, and was dedicated on Oct. 27.
According to Servite historian Sr. Alice Henke's "OLS History," the Rt. Rev. A. F. Schinner, Bishop of Superior, "visited classrooms on the following day and solemnly blessed the new school."
Rose Baribeau, Helen Haasl, Alice Hayes, Archie Hayes, Catherine Hayes and Elizabeth McQuillan received grade eight diplomas at St. Mary's first commencement in June 1913. The school now boasts 1,465 graduates.
In September 1957, St. Mary's moved from the three-story white brick building to a new school building. That year the parish began using the name Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and School.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002