Leader Lookback

This is what ran in The Evening Leader 50 years ago this week.

School Cupola Poses Problem

Renovating the cupola on top of the elementary school building in Minster is one of the items the Board of Education is currently planning in its improvements.

e louvres and spouting are in need of repair and the wood needs painting.

No one seems quite sure if the cupola has any value other than its decor and thought was given to having it removed. Replacing the wooden louvers with aluminum ones is another consideration.

e elementary building also known as “grade school” was opened in 1906 a er it was destroyed by re in 1905.

Minster schools have an interesting early history.

e rst boys’ school was built in 1833 Several years later

the girls were also admi ed to this school. In the fall of 1848 Rev. Brunner arranged to have Catholic Sisters take charge of the education of the girls of the neighborhood.

ree nuns superiors came to establish a school for girls. e religious had no convent but were housed in a private home which also served as the school.

During the siege of the cholera in 1849 the sisters were ordered by their Superiors to close the school and retire to the convent at Maria Stein. As soon as the plague subsided they returned and resumed their work with zeal and devotion in the home of “Mr. Schemmel” who had died without heirs.

is continued in use until 1867 when the St.

eresa’s School for girls was erected.

In 1853 a four room brick school building for boys was erected on the southwest corner of Fi h and Lincoln Sts. (site of the present elementary school).

is building was moved and in 1895 a brick edi ce was erected on this location. e rst school term in this building began in September 1895. F. J. Boerger was superintendent, T. W. Sullivan and B. J. Raterman assistants and the Sisters teaching in the lower grades.

On February 3, 1905 at 7:30 a.m. this building was destroyed by re.

e Board of Education consisted of John Horst, Pres.; S. A. Haverbeck, Vice Pres.; C. H. Dickman,

Clerk; Bernard Nagel and Joseph Beckman took immediate steps to rebuild.

Bonds in the amount of $10,000 were issued and the contract awarded May 23, 1905 to William Brodbeck, St. Marys for the sum of $16,937.32 to build a new combined grade and high school.

During the rest of this year and the rst part of 1906 school sessions were conducted in the old St.

eresa’s school and various other places.

Hugo J. Anthony was superintendent when school opened in the rebuilt building on Sept. 3rd, 1906. F. J. Boerger was principal, and classes were taught by Sisters M. Angeline, onella, Felicia, Anna, Dulla Alarda and Philomena.

Now the elementary building is one of three in the Minster school complex which, along with the grounds demand constant upkeep.

Also scheduled for repair this summer is the blacktop around this building and installation of additional electrical outlets.