Villa Maria Academy

In 1892 Father Thomas Casey saw the need for young ladies to learn refinement and culture along with an opportunity for study and education. In order to fulfill this need, he donated the property for a school to be operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Mother Eugenia Quirk received his donation knowing that Father Casey actually wanted to plan the structure and supervise its building. The grounds were on the edge of the city of Erie covering what today is one city block from West Eighth to Ninth and Liberty to Plum streets. Soon the educational institution became known as Villa Maria Academy. It provided a boarding school, day school, music lessons, and private lessons in painting, drawing and languages. When the school first opened, the curriculum included: Latin, English, French, German, polite literature, botany, astronomy, logic, bookkeeping, algebra, plain and fancy sewing, painting, drawing, crayon, music, stenography, telegraphy, typing and obviously religion.

In 1908 Villa Maria Academy had an enrollment of 85 boarders from 15 states and 100 day students. By 1945 the last boarders graduated from Villa Maria Academy, the Academy no longer boarded students.

Villa Maria Academy taught girls of all ages from 1st grade to 12th grade. Classes were held at Villa Maria Motherhouse and Academy building.

In 1953 Mother Aurelia A’ Hearn relocated the high school division to its present location on West Eighth Street. The Elementary division took over some of the space and expanded its curriculum. When the New Villa Maria Academy opened on September 8, 1953, it was staffed by 18 nuns (sisters) and 2 lay women. There were 1,200 Villa Alumnae. The entire west section of the main floor was devoted to facilities for business education. Sisters Brenda Marie, Gertrude Marie, and Blanche were specialists in teaching bookkeeping, typing, stenography, and the use of office equipment.

In 1989 the school became coeducational and soon had financial difficulties. To alleviate its difficulties Villa Maria Academy announced, on January 8, 2009, a merger with Cathedral Preparatory School. A few short years later though, in 2012, Villa Maria Academy would returned to being an all-girls school.

Villa Maria Academy.

Villa Maria Academy.

Villa Maria Academy.

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Erie's First School

The first schoolhouse built in Erie was in the year 1806, on the southwest corner of Seventh and Holland streets. It was of hewed logs, about 18x20 feet in size, and was built for the sum of thirty dollars, which was paid by contributions of the citizens. This first temple of learning was surrounded by the native forest, a foot-path leading to the school from the village, which was mostly collected in the vicinity of German Street, below Fourth Street. The roll of the school during the year 1812 is preserved as a historic relic. It contains the names of thirty girls and forty boys, as follows:

Girls — Hannah Rees, Sarah Brown, Betsy Dobbins, Julia Bell, Eleanor Stuart, Ann Laird, Mary Wilkins, Sarah Bell, Eliza Wilson, Mary Wallace, Mary Curtis, Jane Hughes, Ann Teel, Mary Wilson, Eliza Hoskinson, Rebecca Rees, Kate Oiler, Harriet Rees, Sarah Forster, Mary Brewster, Mary McSparren, Mary McNair, Dorcas McDonald, Caroline Kelso, Eliza Cummings, Adeline Kelso, Eleanor Lapsley, Zebinia Schantz, Mary Ann Lapsley and CatharineMcFarland.

Boys — Alexander Brewster, Dunning McNair, John McSparren, Zedekiah Curtis, Daniel Gillespie, Edward Hildebrand, Charles Reed, William Brown, Harry Rees, Edwin Kelso, George Dunn, Cyrus Reed, John Dunn, William Bell, John Teel, Albert Kelso, James Gray, Samuel Irwin, James Wilson, Robert Erwin, Henry Schantz, William W. Dobbins, William Hoskinson, Laird Forster, John Hughes, Charles Wilkins, Alexander Irwin, Jacob Snavely, George Gallagher, Barney Gillespie, Johnson Laird, Samuel Brown, William McDonald, James Hughes, Thomas Growotz, Benjamin Wallace, John McFarland, Charles Growotz, Archibald Stuart and Richard McCreary.

Lot No. 1378, upon which the schoolhouse was built, was bought from the State, August 4, 1804, by James Baird, for the sum of twenty-five dollars. It was afterward purchased by means of contribution collected by Captain, Daniel Dobbins, and was patented in the name of the Presque Isle Academy. This name appears to have been informally given by the contributors, as no record can be found of a corporation having been formed with that title. For the next quarter of a century nothing occurred of special importance connected with the schools of Erie, ex­cept the establishment of the Erie Academy. The schools that were kept up during this period were all maintained by private contributions.

In 1860 the log schoolhouse was replaced by School No. 2, which was a three-story brick building. Later named for Erie’s School Superintendent, Henry S. Jones, this building was designed by Joseph Frank. It had 10 rooms and 436 seats on a lot that measured, 206 x 165 feet. In 1899 Jones School was replaced once again (photo below) by the current structure that stands there today, the third and last school to stand at this location before becoming the law offices of the Elderkin Law Firm.

The third and final school to be erected on the site where Erie’s first school once stood.

St. John Kanty Preparatory School

St. John Kanty Preparatory School was founded in 1909, it stood at 3002 East 38th Street in Erie. The Bishop & Martyr of the Stanislaus Catholic Church, in Erie, initiated the idea of a school to service the growing immigrant population in Erie. The mission of founding the school was undertaken by Vincentian priests: Fr. George Glogowski, Fr. Paul Waszko, Fr. Anthony Mazurkiewicz, and Fr. Joseph Slupina; supported Erie pastor, Father Andrew Ignasiak (later Monsignor), in the idea of founding a Polish school that would provided college preparatory education for the children of immigrants. Erie and the Great Lakes region was chosen for its location because of two main railroads, the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroad whose tracks crossed in the city. It guaranteed good communication for most of the cities in the North Eastern United States. On June 29, 1909, they founded St. John Kanty College Association. Its main purpose was to acquire land and location and build the boarding school.

The first meeting of the Association’s board took place on October 29, 1909 (feast of St. John Kanty in late liturgical calendar), and the decision for location of the school was chosen then. The Association agreed to build the school on land acquired on Cooper Road (East 38th Street) no later than on January 1, 1910, and to accept students for one class at a time until there will be five classes (the Polish university preparatory system). Francis Palecki (1897 – 1984), later Monsignor and Pastor of St. Adalbert Church, Philadelphia, was the first student to register. He was also the first to graduate after five years, the final recognized by many colleges as the first year of Junior College.

On Memorial Day, May 30, 1911, at 4:00 PM, during a special ceremony, the cornerstone of the new building was laid by His Excellence John Edmund Fitzmaurice in the presence of many state and religious officials. The ceremony lasted until 6:00 PM and most of the attendants stayed there till the end.

The large fire proofed building was of magnificent proportions, its beauty being equal to its size. The dimensions were: front 180 feet; end wings 106 feet each; all three stories reaching about 60 feet to the tip of the cross, crowning a golden dome. First and second stories were 12 feet, the third 15 feet high. Intended for five stories originally, it was finished off at the third floor to minimize the cost. Equipped, it represented and investment of at least $125,000 and was designed for 300 students.

The statue of the patron saint St. John Kanty above the main door was hand carved of Carrara marble, made in Milan, Italy. Its height was six feet and seven inches, weighing approximately 1,800 lbs. A Polish eagle, exquisitely carved in stone by unknown artist was immediately below it. On February 3, 1992, the statue, the patron saint of St. John Kanty, was brought to St. John Cantius Parish in Philadelphia through the efforts of Msgr. Bernard E. Witkowski, Pastor of St. John Cantius, and an Alumnus of Kanty’s class of 1953. The expense of removing the statue and transporting it to Philadelphia was covered by the generosity of the Alumni.

The chapel, capable of seating 300 people, was on the third floor directly above the library room. Three altars graced the chapel, of which the main one was the Blessed Virgin Mary’s altar and the side altars dedicated to St. Joseph and to St. Vincent de Paul, for whom the chapel was named. The chapel was completely furnished by a special donation from parishioners of St. Stanislaus in Erie.

Labor Day, September 2, 1912, was memorable day in Catholic educational circles around Erie. On that day, St. John Kanty College was dedicated. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the Reverend Andrew Ignasiak, president of the Association, submitted a financial report to the board of directors. The board members all resigned in favor of the Vincentian Fathers, as per motion of November 20, 1912, and henceforth, only the Vincentian Community members comprised the governing board. Father George Glogowski became the first rector of St. John Kanty College and Prep School. He held the position until his sudden death on February 29, 1920, at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie.

Father Stanislaus Konieczny was the second rector until January 1926. During his tenure the third floor were renovated by making a Study Hall, and one large dormitory, out of two distinct rooms opposite sides of the corridors. Additionally, a $40,000 gymnasium-auditorium was built over the boiler room which was officially opened with and intramural basketball game on February 12, 1924.

Father Michael Sadowski was his successor as third Rector. St. John Kanty was his first assignment after arriving to the United States in 1913. During his long stay at Kanty he had acquired experience in every available position. His first term at Erie ended in February 1929. Following him as Rector was Father Joseph Studzinski until 1934, when Father Michael Sadowski returned for his 2nd term of Rector-ship until 1937. Father Louis Moska came in his place until October 1938. He was succeeded by Father Stephen Krol, who earlier was the acting Rector of Kanty right after the death of Father Glogowski. His term was short because of weak health and in 1943 he left the office; again, for the third time, Father Michael Sadowski was his successor.

The ninth Rector of Kanty, for the first time, became its alumnus, enrolled as a student in 1925, Father John Lucian Janowski was appointed Rector in August 1947. Because of terminal cancer he resigned in 1950. The next Rector was his colleague from Niagara University studies, Father Edward Gicewicz. Unfortunately, his tenure was broken by the Korean War after eleven months. Father Gicewicz was called on duty as military chaplain in Air Forces. Next, Father Casimir Kiczuk was appointed to this position in December 1950. Father Kiczuk was Kantian. When WWII ended he was in Krakow for theological studies. Successfully, he escaped from the Nazi occupied country and via Italy returned to the United States. During his term a decision was taken to build new gymnasium. Its construction began before he left the office in September of 1954. He was succeeded by Father Adam Minkiel, a graduate of Kanty Junior College. During his governance the school buildings went through extensive renovation and rearrangements because of a re-evaluation by the Middle States Association.

In December 1957, Father Julian Szumilo was appointed another, thirteenth Rector. After four years, Father Waclaw Czapla was moved to his position in 1961. Succeeding Father Waclaw as Rector was Father James Mielechowski in 1964. Ordained a priest in 1936, he was assigned to Erie in 1937. His stay finished at the end of Rector’s term of office in January 1967. Later, after two years in Utica, Father Mielechowski returned to Kanty Prep in August 1969 and left it when the community withdrew from there in September of 1982. Father Chester Mrowka followed Father Mielechowski as Rector until 1976. In that time he was head of the committee for the erection of the new Province of New England (April 23, 1975).

After Father Mrowka’s tenure the office of Rector in Erie was divided into two positions, one was the Superior of the community handed to Father John Sledziona, and the other Principal, went to Father Ronald Wiktor. In 1978, the superior’s office was again rejoined with that of the Principal. By that action, Father Wiktor became last Rector of St. Jan Kanty Prep, a member of the Kanty alumnus, class of 1953. The Father returned as a teacher in 1967. On September 6, 1982, he was the last man to leave the place and turn off the lights.

During the years, most of US born members of the Vincentan New England Province were involved in various periods of time in teaching and educational activity of St. John Kanty Prep. Among them were: Father George Dabrowski, Father Edmund Gutowski, Father Anthony Kuzia, Father Joseph Lachowski, Father Stanley Staniszewski, Father Mitchell Wanat and Brother Joseph Zurowski; additionally, Father Stanley Miekina and Father Joseph Szpilski, both of St. John Kanty Prep, were residents of the New England Province, involved the missions’ activity. The history of St. John Kanty Prep, Erie is the history of Vincentian presence and mission in the North Eastern United States. There would not be present Province of New England if there had not been St. John Kanty Prep.

In the 68 years of Kanty’s existence the school was highly rated and accredited, well known, and an important educational institution of the alumni who pursued further professional education. There were 164 priests (38 of them Vincentians), 17 Monsignori, three religious brothers; 34 dentists, 51 medical doctors and four osteopath physicians; 23 attorneys, three judges, five Ph D’s, and six in the professional military service.

The largest enrollment in Kanty’s history took place in the last year of its existence , when 202 students were enrolled for 1979-1980 school year. In 68 years Kanty graduated 1,214 students with high school diplomas. Altogether, counting those who attended the high school for whatever length of time (955), and those who attended College, only from 1928 – 1943 (65), there were 2,234 students passing through Kanty’s portals. For years St. John Kanty Prep boys were known for their prowess on athletic fields and courts, beating teams from bigger schools.

The school where hundreds of boys played, lived and learned was purchased by Ken and Carolyn Lochbaum, who operated a physical-therapy clinic in Harborcreek Township site. The building was rented out to Gateway Rehabilitation Center, a residential treatment facility for state prison inmates, who opened there in 1999 and then left in 2009 for a Millcreek Township location.

In 2010, the property was bought by Penn State Behrend, from the Lochbaums, for $922,405. In the purchase contract the demolition of the 2,000-square-foot building was part of the deal. Lipchick Demolition of Erie, within a period of six weeks, with their bulldozers, demolished the legendary building. Kanty grounds, zoned as college-related residential/commercial district zone, became part of the Penn State Behrend’s 43 surrounding acres.

St. John Kanty Preparatory School.

Father John Janowski (1949)

Father Ronald Wiktor (1953)

The statue of the patron saint, St. John Kanty.

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Schools

Arthur Rothstein: School at Skyline Farms, Alabama, 1937

 

Carl Mydans: School at Skyline Farms, near Scottsboro, Alabama, 1936

 

Frances Benjamin Johnston: African American children and teacher in classroom 

studying corn and cotton, Annie Davis School, near Tuskegee, Alabama, 1902

 

Joseph Pennell: Chapman High School Home Economics class in session, 1913

 

Russell Lee: Negro school at Tent City near Shawneetown, Illinois, 1937

 

Teacher and children in front of sod schoolhouse. 

Woods County, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1895

Clark College: Erie Business Center

The birth of this institution came with the starting of a school in penmanship and bookkeeping by H. C. Clark, in 1883, which developed into the institution familiarly known as Clark’s Business College. For a number of years its work was carried on downtown, on State street, east side, near Eighth street, from which it was removed to rooms specially fitted up for the school in the Downing building. In 1890, the institution was incorporated and a number of leading citizens became interested in its welfare. H. C. Clark was elected President and A. E. Scheithe Secretary and Treasurer, with seven gentlemen as Directors. In January, 189-1, Prof. Clark resigned and F. Downing was elected President and S. M. Sweet Secretary and Treasurer.

In April, 1894, in response to the desire to co-operate more successfully in methods and objects, the management consolidated its work with the Erie Business College and Short-Hand School, which came into existence in 1888 in response to the demands for a shorthand training. The latter was first known as the Erie Short-Hand School, and was opened by the law-reporting firm of Briggs, Fish and Bochner. Shortly after it passed into the hands of M. D. Fletcher, who conducted it until 1891, when E. Coburn became principal. The training it gave students produced so favorable a reputation that it was developed into a fully-equipped business college. From Mr. Coburn’s control it passed into the hands of John M. Glazier, who conducted it until the consolidation with Clark’s Business College.

The consolidation of Clark Business College with the Erie Business College and Short-Hand School became known as the Erie Business College. In 1923, Charles P.. McGeary, Sr. became owner and president of the Erie Business College. He continued to direct the school until his death in 1953. Led afterwards by the McGeary Family, the school expanded and opened a campus in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The New Castle campus, formerly New Castle Business School, was located at 170 Cascade Galleria in New Castle.

In the City of Erie, the school had since relocated from its original location at the Downing Building on Peach Street to 246 West Ninth Street, which at some point in time the school’s name was changed to the Erie Business Center. The school continued its expansion and opened a Practical Nursing Program, which was located nearby, at the Metro Center on 252 West 11th Street in Erie.

The school offered a variety of programs, including two-year degrees in business management, accounting, information technology and medical assistant. The Erie campus employed 10 full-time and 22 part-time faculty, plus another 13 full-time staff members and three part-time staff.

There were 164 students enrolled at the Erie campus and 78 at the New Castle campus in 2014, but declining enrollment, increased competition and increasing government regulations made operating the school difficult. That same year the school wasn’t able to disburse federal student aid after the fall semester due to defaults on student loan payments. More than 30 percent of students who were scheduled to start repaying their loans between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2011, defaulted on their loans. After losing the support of the federal government’s student loan program, the Erie Business Center, which had operated for 120 years closed its Erie and New Castle campuses on December 31, 2014.

Hatch School

Corry's school history began when Corry began. In 1863 the town was incorporated as a borough, after succeeding from Concord Township. In the winter of that year the new borough government acquired its first school building on Concord Street, which had been built the previous year by Concord Township, and John L. Hatch was the first principal of the Concord Street School. For a time this school sufficed.

Corry became a city in 1866. In 1870 the school population was rapidly increasing and a new high school was needed and begun at Congress and Wright streets. It was named the Hatch school, in honor of John L. Hatch, Corry's first teacher. It was finished in 1871 at a cost of $30,000. At the beginning, and until 1869, the schools of the town were of the ungraded order, teaching the three Rs in the old-fashioned hit and miss way. In that year J. H. Manley, president of the school board, compiled and arranged a graded course of study for the schools, which was published and regularly introduced. Upon the completion of the Hatch school in 1871, the graded high school course was introduced. The Concord school, the first and the oldest of the school properties of the town, was replaced by a handsome brick four-room building in 1884.

John L. Hatch was a teacher, farmer and dealer in stock and real estate. He was born in Springwater, Livingston County, New York, on December 14, 1831. Mr. Hatch was the owner of about twenty-five acres of land in Wayne Township, and six acres in Corry, where he lived. He was an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the eight members present at its organization in 1862, that being the first Protestant denomination organized in Corry. He served also as Secretary of the Corry School Board of Directors during the first eight years of its existence, and was on the building committee for three of the largest schoolhouses in the place, one of which, the Central High School, which was named in his honor the Hatch School. He was also a member of the City Council a number of times.

Hatch School (1936)

Hatch School (1936)

Hatch School (1936)

Hatch School (1936)