SJS History
- St. John Parish began in 1836 when 14 Catholic families joined to build a log church on what is now Francis Street.
- St. John’s was a mission church until 1855 when Fr. B.C. Koopmans became its first pastor but not a resident of the parish.
- Opening day for the first school was September 15, 1873. Four sisters enrolled 200 students that day.
- A high school was established in 1888. The first graduation class, 1892, consisted of three girls.
- In 1901, the cornerstone for a new school was laid and on January 19, 1903 the new school was opened.
- In the mid-twenties, tuition for the grade school was $1.00 per month. The high school tuition was $25.00 per year. The average income in those years was $2,196.00 and gas was ¢11 per gallon.
- Uniforms, at least for the high school, were adopted in 1929. To quote: “It improves punctuality at school, concentration in class work and better social relationship.”
- Each class was distinguished by different colored collars: freshmen – pea green, sophomores – royal blue, juniors – cerise and seniors – sand.
- In 1954, ground was broken for the “new” high school on Cooper Street. The school opened in 1955.
- In 1959, fifteen additional classrooms were added to the high school. These rooms are the present day St. John Elementary School.