St. Joseph School -- History of St. Joe

History of St. Joe

In 1854 Franklin Pierce was President of the United States. Clement and Henry Studebaker were completing their second year of building wagons in South Bend. Notre Dame founder Father Edward F. Sorin had, one year earlier, purchased lots 123, 125 and 126 of the original plat of Lowell of Samuel Cottrell for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, the deed providing the property be used "For the benefit of the Catholic School of St. Joseph's County, Indiana". So it was, one year after the founding of St. Joseph Parish, Sisters of the Holy Cross taught boys and girls in Fr. Sorin's 22 x 40 foot structure that served as both St. Alexis' Church and School. In 1867 the boarding and day school became the Academy of the Assumption, and in 1880 began night classes to provide education for boys who worked during the day. The sisters funded the school by teaching music lessons, growing produce, and fund-raising activities such as variety shows for the local community featuring their students.
In 1886 a two-story structure was built to replace the old St. Alexis chapel/school (on the present site of the car wash on the corner of Hill and LaSalle Streets) at a cost of $5000. This building would serve the needs of St. Joseph well under the direction of the Holy Cross Sisters and see student enrollment grow tremendously during the turn of the century. St. Joseph's parish virtually blossomed into an ethnically diverse community, and once again suffered growing pains as a result. After forty years the 1886 structure was no longer adequate for the high demand of a quality Catholic education.

Panoramic Map of South Bend, Indiana, drawn by C. J. Pauli in 1890 shows St. Joseph Church and the school built in 1886 (circled in yellow)

Fr. Edward Sorin, founder of the University of Notre Dame, purchased the original lots which would start St. Alexis Church & School, later known as St. Joseph's.

Archbishop John Francis Noll A new era in St. Joseph's history began in 1926 with the dedication of the beautiful, gothic building on the corner of Hill and Colfax Streets. The cornerstone having been blessed on May 24, 1925, Bishop John Noll dedicated the school on January 10, 1926 - proclaiming it to be the best school in the diocese. The school boasted a real gymnasium - the first Catholic school to have one - and contained 15 classrooms and a 600-seat auditorium to support the enrollment for that time of 535 students in grades 1 through 9.

D. Doordan, Mrs. Nabicht, M. Thibideau, M. McCarthy, M. Sullivan, T. Shaw, Mrs. Riedel
Mrs. Schlorch, Sister M. Josella (Principal), Mrs. Anthony, Mrs. Quigley - Oct. 1961

On the playground.

1961-1962 Basketball. T. Smith, J. Bradley, J. Cesulka,
M. Walsh, A. Pletcher, L. Holycross, D. Sieg, T. Carey,
T. Courveur, W. Stouffer, R. Berfanger, D. George, C. Hurd,
C. Long, J. Fisher, P. Teak, B. True.
Cheerleaders, 1963-1964. P. Marcelewicz, L. Davey,
J. Horning, R. Gearhart, J. Bamber, B. Leyes.

As St. Joseph School approached the new millennium, it was quite apparent growth was again overtaking the existing facilities. Through the generosity of parishioners, alumni and friends, a substantial renovation was completed in 1999. The former gym has become a beautiful library, as well as computer, science, and art/music rooms. The former auditorium was transformed into Fanelli Hall, which is used as a gymnasium, parish social hall and cafeteria. The McCartney Administrative Annex has enabled relocation of school offices and faculty support areas, thus making more room for classrooms and keeping teacher-student ratios lower. Graduation/May Procession in the old church - 1960

McCartney Administrative Annex St. Joseph School has come a long way since 1854. What hasn't changed is its reputation. Providing the best education possible and utilizing the latest technologies, St. Joseph School will continue to be "the best" for generations to come.