St. George Parish History
ST. GEORGE SCHOOL
By 1923, thirty' years had gone by, and St. George still did not have its own
school. A whole generation had passed without organized classes. The
"Sunday School" classes alone did not fill the needs of this growing
parish. So Father Gagnon, despite the outstanding debt owed on the church, opted
to go ahead with the construction of a school and convent.
George Fugere was hired to draw up the plans for a modern school and a convent.
The first wooden church was razed, and the new school was erected on that site.
A three-story convent was built adjacent to the school. Both school and convent
were the finest buildings affordable in those times. The school and convent were
completed in 1927, the same year that Father Albert Paquette arrived on the
scene as Father Gagnon's curate. He was to remain with Father Gagnon for ten
years, until Father Gagnon's retirement.
The
challenge now was to find the very best teaching staff for the new school.
Father Gagnon was aware of the fine work being done by the Sisters of the
Assumption who staffed St. Aloysius School in Indian Orchard. He contacted the
Mother House in Nicolet, Canada, and received a favorable answer: "The
Sisters of the Assumption would be happy to come to St. George and to teach in
the new school." Sisters Marie-de-la-Misericorde, Sainte-Emerentienne,
SaintHyacinthe, Sainte-Alphonse-de-Marie, Sainte Leopoldine and
Saint-Paul-de-Rome were the first to arrive. Delegations from the Ladies of St.
Anne, led by their president, Mrs. Zephire Fontaine, and from the Children of
Mary, represented by Miss Celestine Jodoin, had stocked the pantry and "ice
boxes" with enough food to get them established in their new convent. The
Sisters received a warm welcome, indeed.
The
Sisters had arrived at St. George on August 22, 1928. They wasted no time in
registering students and in preparing the school for its opening. 274 students
registered and were divided into six grades. Two lay teachers were hired to
assist the Sisters: Miss Juliette Desplaines (who later entered religious life
under the name of Sister Marie-Bernadetta) and Miss Celestine Jodoin. The doors
of St. George School opened for the first time on September 5, 1928. On
September 22, Bishop Thomas O'Leary came for the solemn blessing of the school.
(The School was merged with St. Joan of Arc in Aldenville in 1995, and the
building since has been used for meetings, and religious education)
for more see St. Joan of Arc - St.
George School
next
The Sisters of the Assumption
This history reprinted from the St. George
Parish Centennial Album .
acknowledgments
Stephen Jendrysik whose knowledge
of Chicopee History was invaluable. Father Ronald Lussier, and Joyce
Morissette who spent nearly a year finding information, compiling, and typing to
put this history together. Also to all that sent articles, pictures and
information that help put this amazing history in print.
Photo credits to Keneth
Kostek for centennial photos