The History of Our Parish

Plans for a New Grade School

Meanwhile, in the early 1950s - after the St. Henry's church building repairs and during the planning of St. Mary Goretti Church in East Prairie - the new St. Henry's Grade School Campaign Fund was underway.  Based upon the strength of the resulting campaign fund pledges the planning of the new school commenced in earnest.  We employed A. F. and Arthur Stauder, Architects of St. Louis, to design our new elementary school. 

Archbishop Ritter approved the plans drawn by the Architects Stauder.  Early in the winter, on January 18, 1953, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor John J. O'Neill, Archdiocesan Dean of Schools, came to Charleston where he broke ground for our new elementary school.  We laid the corner stone on April 26 of the same year.  Construction proceeded on schedule throughout the summer months.  Thus, we were able to hold the first classes in the new school building in September of 1953.  Despite the discontinuation of the kindergarten at that time, the enrollment in the grades still counted 183 children.

During the construction of the grade school, we also completely remodeled and renovated the high school building ( the Convent School building ).  At the time, there were 61 students attending the high school.

New School Blessed

On April 4, 1954, Archbishop Ritter visited Charleston to bless our new elementary school and gymnasium / cafeteria / auditorium.  The work we had done in building the new school pleased the Archbishop, and he congratulated the people of St. Henry's for our accomplishments. 

Before leaving Charleston, the Archbishop said to the pastor, Father Schmitt, "You must now renovate the interior of the church.  These people deserve something better.  And the sisters need a new convent, you priests need a new rectory." 

Future work was clearly indicated, but we needed time to accumulate the necessary funds.

Paraphrased from St. Henry Church 1873 - 1973.