Catholic school celebrates

The area’s oldest parochial school is celebrating its 70th anniversary today.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School is holding a children’s service to commorate the event at 9 a.m. today at 331 Hammond St.

A wine and cheese social to mark the anniversary is being held at the Parish Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. at 328 Hammond St.

A slide show will be presented showing the history of the school.

The public is invited to attend, particularly those who have attended the school since its founding in 1939, said Dianne Young, the school’s director of faith development.

“We want to thank God for these wonderful 70 years of being here to pass on faith and to give our children a good education,” she said.

On March 19, 1939, the Rev. Peter J. McNerney purchased the Brewer home on the northwest corner of Hammond and Pearl streets to use for the parochial school. On Sept. 5, 1939, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parochial School opened its doors to 35 children.

The current school building was opened in 1957. The “Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” originally staffed the school. Today, lay faculty teach students from prekindergarten through elementary grades.

Although the school was founded to instruct Catholic children, it has always opened its doors to children of other faiths, Young said.

Most of the school’s graduates went on to college, she said.

Young said the events today are not just for those who have attended the school.

“Anyone in the community is welcome to come,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the community, we would probably not be here. Our archives tell us how our city fathers and business professionals were spreading the word about the school and even gave financially.”