IN 1876, IN AN EFFORT TO SECURE THE TEACHING OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE FAITH, FOCUS SHIFTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARISH SCHOOL. IN 1882, ST. ALOYSIUS SCHOOL WAS BUILT AND HOLDS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY RUN CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN THE FORT WAYNE-SOUTH BEND DIOCESE.

BUILDING ON OUR HERITAGE

The original school was a two-story brick schoolhouse erected in 1882 at a cost of $4,000. This would equate to over $125,000 today. At the time, there were 40 families in the parish and 45 children in the school. The school was free to all members of the parish. The average annual expense per pupil was between $6 and $8. The Sisters of St. Agnes and, later, the Sisters of St. Joseph, Tipton, staffed the school.

The school was heated by a large wood and coal-burning stove in each room. Each morning the older boys had to bring coal and corn cobs from the barn or the basement to each of the stoves, start the fires and try to heat the classrooms.  Restroom facilities were outhouses and there was no running water in the building. In 1951, indoor plumbing and a water fountain were installed.

By 1954, the school was experiencing "growing pains" and the original brick schoolhouse could no longer accommodate the needs of the parish. In 1955, a new four-room school with a basement was erected. By 1996, enrollment was on the rise and a committee was formed to explore the future needs of the parish school. A capital campaign was started to add five new classrooms, a library, an office area and a community center/gymnasium. Construction was completed by 2001.