Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board
Catholic School Board Celebrating 100 Years of Catholic Education in Its Current Building
June 1914 – The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board office, located at 87 Mill Street in Dublin, was built as a Continuation School (Gr. 9-13) which housed a convent large enough to accommodate ten Religious Sisters. Rev. T. Noonan, the parish priest at that time, requested and obtained several of the Ursuline Sisters from Chatham to teach at the new high school and St. Patrick’s elementary school across the street. The Continuation School closed in 1968 due to ongoing struggles to receive sufficient local and provincial tax support.
In 1970, two rooms on the main floor of the former Continuation School were converted for Kindergarten classes from St. Patrick’s School.
In 1975, the Huron-Perth County Roman Catholic District School Board purchased the former Continuation School and Convent from St. Patrick’s Parish to use as their administration offices. The location was ideal since Dublin is situated in the centre of the two counties. It seemed appropriate that Catholic Education in Huron and Perth counties should continue to have a presence in this building.
For 100 years, this building has served the needs of Catholic education.
On Sunday, June 8, 2014, the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board will be hosting a 100 year anniversary celebration for former and present students, teachers and the wider community.
The festivities will begin with a Eucharistic Celebration held at St. Patrick’s Church in Dublin at 11:00 am, followed by a commemorative blessing of the Board offices. Tours of the building are being planned along with a BBQ luncheon.
The highlight of the event will be meeting many former students as well as Religious Sisters and former teachers who taught at the Continuation School or at St. Patrick’s School in Dublin.
Anyone wishing to attend the event is asked to RSVP to Marg VanBakel at 519-345-2440 ext 308 or by email at marg_vanbakel@hpcdsb.edu.on.ca.
Media Contact:
Vince MacDonald
Director of Education
519-345-2440 ext 310
Elaine DeCorte
Executive Assistant to the Director
519-345-2440 ext 311
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