In December of 1886, five Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary under
the direction of Mother Mary Joachim Ryan arrived at St. Stephen'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
encluded 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
four 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 grade school
students and 94 high school students. It was during the early 1940's that the
high schol 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's 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 August 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 Stephen's School merged with St. Clair Catholic Elementary.
In September 1991, St. Stephen's School became St. Stephen Regional School.
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, Holy Family, Sacred Heart and St. Anthony.
The St. Stephen Regional School building consists of 10 classrooms, library,
computer/resource room, school office, faculty room and gym/cafeteria.
After 116 years of faithful service, the I.H.M. Sisters were forced to withdraw
their mission at St. Stephen Regional School at the end of the 2002 school year.
The teaching staff is comprised of a lay principal, 11 faculty members and two
teacher's aides. The school also has a secretary, cafeteria staff, maintenance
person and numerous volunteers who help maintain St. Stephen Regional's level
of excellence.
Truly, the precious cornerstone that was laid in 1886 has become a sure foundation.
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