Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HOLY GHOST SCHOOL
HOLY GHOST SCHOOL. During the early years of Holy Ghost parish, the first building constructed was a combination church, school and convent. Classes were first held on January 4, 1897, with the enrollment of one hundred two students and a faculty of four Sisters of Saint Francis from Dubuque. Classes were held in three rooms on the first floor and the basement. The construction in 1903 of a home for the Sisters opened additional classrooms. Construction of the new church in 1916 left the entire old building for the use of the five hundred students then enrolled.
Holy Ghost Junior High School was organized in September 1934. The plan, following a trend in the public schools, had been initiated by Father George A. Hauck and approved by Msgr. John M. Wolfe, superintendent of the archdiocesan schools. The initial enrollment showed one hundred fifty students in grades seven and eight. Classes were held on the third floor of the school. Lack of space forced the school to be discontinued in 1952.
Overcrowding grew critical with the projected opening of WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL and the rapid development of residential areas along Kane Street. Prior to the completion of a new school building, the Holy Ghost kindergarten was forced to close in 1954, first grade operated on half-day shifts, and two church basement rooms were remodeled for classrooms.
The need for a new school led to the completion, during the summer of 1957, of the first floor of the present two-story Holy Ghost School. Continued growth in parish population, however, led to the need to open four additional classrooms on the second floor in 1960 to join the ten rooms on first floor. By 1962 an additional five classrooms on the second floor were placed in use, and one year later every room in the building was occupied.
Playground facilities for the school were provided with the purchase of eight acres of the Woller property adjacent to the church. Parishioners cleared the land that was developed for student recreation. Some of the property was sold to reduce expenses.
On May 11, 1975, Holy Ghost Elementary School, then the largest Catholic elementary school in Iowa with 1,300 students, was dedicated to Msgr. Leo A. Jaeger, an instrumental figure in the building's construction. Holy Ghost contributed 7.6 percent of $3,500,000 toward the construction costs of Wahlert High School. Illustrious graduates of the school include State Senator Andrew FROMMELT; Leo SCHUELLER and Clarence P. WELU, both MAYOR of Dubuque; John G. TIGGES, county supervisor; and Robert OETH, state representative and county attorney.
Enrollment needs changed in 1990 and the building was closed as a school. Proposals were made to convert it and a nearby convent into senior apartments. Both buildings were listed on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. The last business to show an interest in developing the buidings was Cohen-Esrey, based in Kansas. The City supported their application to the Iowa Economic Development Development Authority in the fall of 2017. (1)
See: HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Source:
1. "Probe Continues into Fire at Former School," Telegraph Herald, September 25, 2018, p. 3
