HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN REGIONAL SCHOOL



In December of 1886, five Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary under the direction of Mother Mary Joachim Ryan arrived at St. Stehen's in Port Carbon. School was first conducted in some spare rooms in the rectory, then, later in the basement of the Church of which Rev. William Moran was then Pastor. The enrollment included 99 students.

For 10 years, the Sisters struggled with these difficulties until Rev. John O'Connell erected a new four room frame school building, the dedication took place on October 31, 1897. Rev. Daniel A. Daly added three classrooms to the main building in 1920, and three years later built an Annex for the accommodation of the students who registered for High School. A well equipped and fully accredited 4 year High School and commercial unit afforded the advantages of higher education to the children of St. Stephen's parish and nearby villages.

During the school year of 1934-35 the school enrollment rose to 330 students for grade school and 94 high school students. It was during the early 1940's that the high school received State accreditation.

On September 12, 1954 ground was broken for Nativity B.V.M. High School on Lawton's Hill in Pottsville. Nativity would include students from Pottsville Catholic and St. Stephen High School. When Nativity opened in 1955, St. Stephen's High School closed with an enrollment of 75 students. The grade school enrollment rose to 370 at this time.

Father Joseph Herley was relieved of his pastoral duties in Agust 1964 and the Rev. John J. McNamara became administrator. Father later became pastor of St. Stephen's and was responsible for the school renovations which began in March 1967. It was decided that each room in the school would be remodeled. This included new walls, lights and floors. A big addition was a closet in each classroom and a faculty room.

In July of 1991, St. Stephenıs School merged with St. Clair Catholic Elementary. In September 1991, St. Stephenıs School became St. Stephen Regional School. In August 1999, Holy Cross School in New Philadelphia closed its doors and joined the regionalization. St. Stephen Regional receives children from the communities of Port Carbon, St. Clair, New Philadelphia and surrounding areas. The school is supported by 9 parishes: St. Stephen, St. Mary, St. Boniface, St. Casimir, Sts. Peter and Paul, Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart, Holy Family and St. Anthony. In July 2002, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters withdrew from the school after 115 years.

The St. Stephen Regional School building consists of 10 classrooms, library, computer/resource room, school office, faculty room and gym/cafeteria.

There are currently 162 students enrolled in the Kindergarten ­ Grade 8 program, 36 students in the Pre-K program. The staff consists of 1 full-time religious ­ a Sister of St. Joseph, 9 full-time lay teachers, 1 part-time lay teacher and 1 full-time aid. The school also has a secretary, cafeteria staff and numerous volunteers that help to maintain St. Stephen Regionalıs level of excellence.

Truly, the precious cornerstone that was laid one hundred thirteen years ago has become a sure foundation.

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