HISTORY OF SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL

Saint Joseph School is proud of its unique history. Our school began in the late nineteenth century and is one of the oldest in this section of New Jersey, having been established in 1880. The first building, the Little Red Brick Schoolhouse, was the 30 by 40 foot original Saint Joseph Church, which was completed as early as 1854.

Beginning in 1880, the Sisters of St. Francis, Philadelphia, pioneered teaching in our first school, and in 1890 were succeeded by the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy, who for over 100 years of continuing dedicated service to the parish and the children of the greater Keyport area, represent one of the longest such associations in the country. As a result of the hard work and understanding of the Sisters of Mercy, the seeds of learning grew and developed well.

In 1924, the cornerstone for a new school was laid by Bishop Thomas Walsh, Bishop of Trenton. In 1928 a new convent was built next to the school to house the increasing number of Sisters teaching in Saint Joseph School.

The next quarter of a century saw more growth in the families worshiping at Saint Joseph Church. Our school had an excellent reputation, and many more children were being educated in our classrooms. More growth meant more change. In 1950 Bishop George W. Ahr approved plans submitted by the pastor, Father Cornelius Kane, for the addition of six more classrooms, a cafeteria, and an auditorium-gymnasium. Additional remodeling of the existing building was also in the plans. The construction work was begun in March, 1952, and was completed and dedicated on September 13, 1953. At that time, the auditorium-gymnasium was one of the largest elementary school facilities in the State of New Jersey. Within the last decade of the century, Saint Joseph School has initiated many new programs: two full day Kindergartens, one half day Kindergarten and a PreSchool for three and four year old children. Along with our three baseball/softball fields, there are two playgrounds.

The real history of Saint Joseph School, however, transcends books, mortar, and buildings. The story is not about structures, or even the number of students enrolled. Saint Joseph School's history was, and is about people, about dedication, about sacrifice, and above all, about love and faith. It concerns a defined value system, that includes the concepts of personal responsibility, of duty, of ethics, and of good citizenship.

The graduates of Saint Joseph School number in the thousands; each has his or her own story and history. Each of them writes another page or chapter of the total history of Saint Joseph School each day.

Our history is written anew each day. The faces change, but the values remain constant as we accept the challenges of the Third Millennium.