History of St. John’s Academy
St. John’s Academy, which had its beginnings in 1890, was the first Catholic educational institution founded in the newly erected Diocese of Jamestown after the consecration of The Right Reverend John Shanley. It opened on September 3, 1890, with 65 students, of which 14 were boarders. The first high school graduate, Miss Elizabeth McGrath, received her diploma at the commencement exercises in June, 1892.
From the very beginning, the school was open to non-Catholic students. In 1903, two young ladies were graduated, one of whom had entered St. John’s Academy on the opening day in September, 1890 and attended school there continuously until her graduation from high school. In that year, there were 110 boarders at the Academy and 165 day students. In 1905, preparations were made to erect another building, which was completed in 1907 at a cost of $37,000. It was a four-story brick building 56’ X 70’. In 1906, businessmen of Jamestown donated a tract of land, known as Academy Park, for recreation purposes.
The Silver Jubilee of St. John’s Academy was celebrated on October 20, 1915. At that time, the original St. James Church, which had been replaced by the new brick structure in 1914, was brought to the Academy grounds and remodeled for use as an auditorium. In 1923, the Oscar J. Seiler home was purchased for $12,000 to be used as a student dormitory. On December 14, 1926, a fire of unknown origin destroyed this dormitory. This made it imperative to erect a new building, and a large modern brick structure built by E. A. Moline and designed by G. R. Horton, was completed in 1927 at a cost of $100,000. The Knights of Columbus Home, built in that same year, made a gymnasium and recreational facilities available to the students. In 1927, there were 120 students in high school, and 266 in the elementary grades.
On August 15, 1951, The Feast of the Assumption, the fulfillment of a long dream came true with the dedication and open house of the Beck Addition at St. John’s Academy. This addition, with the price tag of $175,000, was made possible through the $50,000 legacy of the late Morris Beck, a Jewish businessman, whose generous gifts and sincere interest made possible the addition named in his honor.
By 1961, the enrollment had reached 583 students. 155 were in high school, and 428 were in the grades, with a staff of 34 employees, including instructors, bookkeepers, cafeteria and maintenance personnel. In 1963, St. John’s High School took steps to discontinue. The plan was to close the high school facilities beginning with the elimination of grades 10-12 beginning the fall of 1964, and ninth grade in 1965. In 1968, grades 7-8 were also closed. At that time, St. James Parish took over the school, which had, until then, been the property of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
In 1989, Kids’ Kingdom preschool classes were added to the school. This preschool program is the only accredited preschool in the community. In 1991, a Child Care Program, sponsored and staffed by the YMCA, was opened at the school, to provide child care for 3-5 year olds as well as before and after school care for grades K-6. Presently there are 57 children in this Child Care program.
In August, 1997, the three story Our House of St. Joseph building located on the NW corner of the Academy block, was sold to Ken and Barb Mickelson. It was moved south of town and lovingly restored and now serves as their personal residence. This home is located at 8975 38 St SW in rural Jamestown.
In June of 1998, the four story brick convent building built in the early 1900’s, was demolished. Some of the oak flooring was removed and made into crosses that were sold to raise money for a new Marian shrine.
On May 18, 2002, a dream more than fifty years in the making was finally realized with the Dedication and Rite of Blessing of the Zebedee Center. The Zebedee Center was built on the site of the old convent building at a cost of $1,506,451.09 dollars. This new 14,000 square foot multi-purpose facility features a middle school sized court with special rubber-backed “Mundo” flooring system. The bleachers will seat approximately 200 people. In addition, 300+ chairs have been purchased with money donated by the PTO, for seating on the main floor. The kitchen, dedicated to the memory of Mrs. “Mac” MacKenzie, and concession areas are roomy and functional, providing for food preparation and concessions sales at special events. The new center also provides air-conditioned offices for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, FACE and Development staff, as well as a Youth Ministry Activities Center. In addition, a conference room with special lighting is now available to many school and parish groups (the first University of Mary graduate classes began on January 6th, 2005 in this room). The new elevator provides accessibility, both in the new building and the existing school building. New restrooms are equipped with shower facilities, and are handicapped accessible.