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Beginning in the fall of 1916, the Dominican Sisters from Saint Mary of the
Springs taught Sunday School at Saint Thomas. Initially, there were 168 children
of school age in the parish, and it was the hope of both the pastor and people
that they would soon be able to build a Catholic school for the children.
Saint Thomas School was built in 1921 by Father John H. O’Neil, who was pastor
at that time. The people of the parish donated much of their own time and effort
in the construction of the school. The debt on the school was finally liquidated
in 1937. The parish continued to grow and the number of pupils in the parish
school increased as the years progressed.
In 1937, much needed property adjoining the parish grounds was acquired. More
than three lots were added to provide space for a playground and a parking lot.
It was providential, that these parcels were purchased at Sheriff’s sale by a
Mr. Mallorey and the deeds were turned over to the parish at no cost. The pastor
and parishioners saw this Mr. Mallorey only twice—when he came and asked if the
parish would accept the parcels and again when he delivered the deeds. The late
Bishop Hartley himself was at first skeptical but later was happy to get the
property.
In 1939, a new steam heating unit was installed to replace the old system. Many
of the graduates still have memories of the good old days—though chilly at
times. As the years went on, the four room plan for the eight grades became a
problem. Increased enrollment necessitated the addition of classrooms. Bishop
Michael J. Ready gave his approval and encouragement for additional school
facilities. L.V. Gibboney was the contractor, and A.F.Tynan was the architect.
In June 1948, work was begun on four new classrooms. By fall the same year, the
addition was completed at the cost of over $29,000 which included lighting,
heating, and classroom equipment. The reserve fund built up at this time paid
for the entire cost of the project. The addition was of brick similar to that of
the original building. In 1952, there were seven Sisters who taught an
enrollment of around 270. The parish continues to be grateful for the devotion
and sacrifice of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs for their
many years of faithful service.
From 1921 to 1956, the parish school was completely staffed by members of
religious orders. Within the next ten years two Sisters were replaced by lay
teachers. As the years went on, fewer religious Sisters were available, and by
1989, the school was staffed by only two Sisters and eight lay teachers. The
Sisters were Sister Petra Flavin, O.P., who served as principal, and Sister
Josephine King, O.P. At their retirement, Sister Patricia Rucci, O.P. became
principal. The school building was given a new look and hopes were high that by
reducing the school to a kindergarten through fifth grade population, Catholic
education could continue to be made available to children of various faiths who
were coming from areas beyond the boundaries of the parish. Because of the
sudden death of Sister Pat Rucci, O.P. following surgery, and despite efforts to
continue the school under the direction of Principal Gary Cross, the school
closed in 2004. The students of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Saint Philip the
Apostle, and Christ the King schools merged in Christ the King School building
on East Livingston Avenue to become All Saints Academy.
The efforts of the Support-A-Student Fund which began under Sister Pat Rucci and
a committee established to aid the school’s children, continue to assist those
families who began at Saint Thomas and are now attending other Catholic grade
schools. It is the goal of the committee to help those who were in grades
kindergarten through fifth at the time of the school’s closing to complete the
eighth grade in a Catholic elementary school.
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