St. Joe's History
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Since 1883 Beal City St. Joseph the Worker Parish has provided a Catholic School for its young people. One hundred twenty years! In 1883, even before the new parish had a resident pastor here, Adolph Hundt began teaching catechism, reading, and math in the little church built a year earlier. Since all classes were in German, people referred to it as the "German School." In 1901 when the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters arrived, most classes were taught in English. Despite fires consuming the first two church buildings, despite many hardships, the loyal parishioners somehow managed to continue to expand the class offerings to area people. St. Philomena (the earlier name of the parish) held its first high school graduation in 1925. The present eight classroom brick building was built in 1948. In 1960, its name, St. Philomena, was changed to St. Joseph the Worker School. Today, quality Catholic education continues to prevail in our parish school of graders one through six.
St. Joseph the Worker School is strongly supported by parents, grandparents, and parish. The parish is proud of the 120 years of Excellence in Catholic Education: Past and Present. We intend to keep it that way in the Future! |