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Formal Catholic education
in the Phillipsburg area began in 1875 when Reverend Cornelius J. O'Reilly and the
parishioners of St. Philip and St. James
Church decided to erect a school for the academic and moral education
of the parish youth. In spite of financial concerns, the cornerstone was
laid in 1875 for a three-story brick building at the comer of South Main
and Stockton Streets. The Sisters of Charity staffed the school from 1876
to 1877. In 1886, the Sisters of Mercy purchased property at 518 South Main
Street for the purpose of opening an academy for young ladies. It was
formally dedicated as Saint Catherine's Academy on September 29, 1887.
The Sisters staffed the new academy as well as the original grammar school.
A high school wing of ten classrooms and an auditorium was added to the
grammar school in 1920 and the students of St. Catherine's Academy were
transferred to the new high school in 1923.
Total
Community Support
Enrollment
increased and the school flourished and continued to serve the educational
needs of the community. By 1958, the need for a new school was evident.
Reverend Joseph V. Kozak, pastor of St. Philip and St. James, purchased
21-1/2 acres of land on Roseberry Street and the parish embarked on an
ambitious campaign fund drive to build a new high school. The campaign
slogan was "Through Prayer and Sacrifice." The 400 volunteers
solicited $250,000 in pledges after only five days. A total of $536,000
was raised through the pledge drive, a tribute to the hard work and
generosity of the parishioners and friends of St. Philip and St. James and
even more remarkable considering the drive was held during a nine-month
strike at the city's largest employer that affected many people in the
community. It is interesting to note that the drive had extensive community
support with more than 2,000 people -- Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish --
contributing to the building of the school. The school, known as Phillipsburg Catholic High School, was formally dedicated by The Most Reverend George W. Ahr, Bishop of Trenton on August 2O,l961. Saints Philip and James Elementary School remained at its original location. The parish operated both facilities until 1989 All Saints Regional School In 1989, The
Most Reverend Edward T. Hughes, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, announced
the school would be operated as a regional school. Responsibility for the
school, renamed All Saints Regional School, was then shared by the school,
the Diocese, and the seventeen contributing parishes. The Lower School,
pre-kindergarten through fifth, remained at the South Main Street location.
The ground floor of the convent at Roseberry Street was renovated to
accommodate a full-day kindergarten class. The Upper School, grades six
through twelve, was located at the Roseberry Street campus. The first
director, Reverend Angelo Palermo, was appointed in March 1990. The Sisters
of Mercy left at the end of the 1989-90 school year, bringing to an end over
100 years of service given to the
Phillipsburg community. The Diocese arranged for the services of another
order, The Sister Servants of the Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Palermo resigned in June 1992 and James A.
Duris, was appointed in July as director/principal.
Elementary School
- Continues to Grow
The Lower
School experienced an increase in enrollment and added an additional
kindergarten and first grade. The Diocese announced in February 1994 that it
was closing the high school due to low enrollment and mounting fiscal
expenses. The Lower School continued to grow at a rapid rate and in September
1994 the kindergarten and elementary students were relocated to the former
high school facility and pre-k students moved to the former kindergarten
classrooms. In 1994 the
student population increased to 393, which required an additional
kindergarten and first and fourth grade classes. An additional fifth grade
was added in 1995 bringing enrollment to 433. The pre-k classes were expanded
in 1996.
Restructured for
the Millennium
The Most
Reverend Vincent De Paul Breen, Bishop of Metuchen announced the
reorganization of the school on June 16, 1999. The school was converted to a
parish-operated school associated with St.
Philip and St. James Church. The school, renamed Saints Philip and James
School, continues to serve students in grades K through eight from
Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey, and parts of Easton,
Pennsylvania, at the Roseberry Street campus. Since 1875,
Catholic education has been an integral part of this community. History
demonstrates that this was not always easy. However, in meeting the
challenges and obstacles, the parish and school community has not only
developed the ability to survive, but to thrive and grow as well. This
history attests to the fact that St. Philip and St. James will continue to
provide academic excellence within a Christian community.
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