History of St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph’s Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Pawtuxet Valley. In the late 1800’s, Rev. John Couch, Pastor of St. John’s Church in Jericho, established a French parish in the village of Natick, a small mission church on East Ave. In the spring of 1867, Sprague & Co. donated the present site for the establishment of St. Joseph’s Church. Construction began on Thanksgiving Day in 1872. The first Mass celebrated on Christmas Day that year in the church basement officially established St. Joseph Church. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated in the basement chapel until Christmas Day 1888, when the upper Church was finally completed.
The Providence Bishop at that time, Bishop Matthew Harkins, requested the Missionaries of Sacred Heart, a Canadian-based society, assume pastoral responsibilities at St. Joseph Church. They did so until 1974. From 1974 to 1989, administrative duties were transferred to the American Province of the Missionaries of Sacred Heart.
In 1922, Father Pierre L’Esperance, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, obtained the old Tom Brown property located on Wakefield Street across the street from the present day school. The vacant general store on the property was quickly converted into a school house. A house on the same property was repaired and used as a convent for the Sisters of Divine Providence who were administrators of the school until 1978.
On September 1, 1923, five Sisters of Divine Providence arrived from their Mother House in Kentucky. Sr. Eugenie Marie served as the first Principal of St. Joseph School. Sisters N. Pradexda Zasnach, Amiee de Jesus, N. Celine Schwaflie, and Amelia Dumouchelle were the first teachers. St. Joseph School officially opened on September 4, 1923 with 135 students in grades one through seven. The eighth grade was added the following year and the first graduation was held on June 14, 1925 when two students received diplomas. A ninth grade was opened in 1929. In 1963, the school returned to a K - 8 model. St. Joseph School remained tuition free until September 1941 when parents were asked to make weekly contributions of twenty-five cents for each child.
As enrollment increased it became clear that the old storefront school house was no longer sufficient. On April 4, 1956 stakes for the new school were put up and construction began at the school’s current location. In August of that year, permission was received to build a convent above the school. On April 29,1957, Bishop Russell J. McVinney dedicated the new school building during a mass celebrated with students in the new gym. The facility was large enough to accommodate 252 students in grades one through nine. It included nine classrooms, an office, a library, a regulation size gym, kitchen, and four bathrooms.
The year 1973 was an important one for families. Principal Sister Mary Bonita Cheevers opened Kindergarten, welcoming 25 new young students. She also created the Parent-Teacher Guild (PTG). Family involvement has remained an enduring characteristic of the St. Joseph School Community.
In 1983, the school library was moved to second floor in the former convent chapel. Currently, the space is used as a middle school classroom. A formal Arts Program was introduced in 1987. Prior to this, classroom teachers taught art and music. That same year, computer was introduced as an option. In 1991, instruction on computer became formalized for kindergarten through grade 8.
In June of 1989, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who established St. Jospeh Parish a century earlier announced that they would transfer the parish to the Diocese of Providence. Bishop Louis E. Gelineau installed Father Charles Downing as the new pastor of St. Joseph Church and head of St. Joseph School. St. Joseph Parish’s recent renovations left it with a heavy debt. Like most Catholic Schools in Rhode Island, St. Joseph School suffered from declining enrollment. The town of West Warwick once boasted of having eight Catholic Schools. In 1989 only three remained.
Fr, Charles rallied the community to rejuvenate and market the school. Between 1989 and 1991, the parents cleaned, repainted, and updated the facility. The positive energy and new enthusiasm contributed in an increase in enrollment. In February of 199,1 a small pre-kindergarten class for three and four-year-olds opened. The program was such a success that it mushroomed into a class with over 40 students in September of 1991. The early childhood program has remained one of St. Joseph School’s strengths. To accommodate the needs of working families, extended-day program was started in 1992. Today before-care operates from 7:00am to 8:00am, and after-care operates from 3:15pm to 5:45pm. In November of 1996, St. Joseph School earned its initial ten-year accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. NEASC re-accredited the St. Joseph School in 2006.
With waiting lists in every grade, the School Advisory Board and Parish Finance Council supported Fr. Downing and Principal John Hernandez’s plans to build a new wing with three classrooms and a handicap accessible entrance. On January 1, 2000 Auxiliary Bishop Robert McManus dedicated the new addition. This allowed the school to move the computer lab and library to the main level. In 1997 St. Joseph School became a participating member in the Catholic Athletic League (CAL). Prior to that St. Joseph Students participated in the local CYO league.
Reverend Robert Perron was installed as pastor of St. Joseph Church in 2014. Since then, Fr. Perron focused his ministry at St. Joseph Church and School on building awareness and community. As vicar of the Diocesan Propagation of Faith, Fr. Perron authored the “God Vision” program which he piloted at SJS. Through it students are challenged to become more socially consciousness. Fr. Perron is passionately supportive of Catholic Education. Through his hands-on approach a series of facility updates, operational changes, and improved safety measures. During the summer of 2015 the original roof was replaced and all incandescent lights were replaced as part of an energy audit. The PTG was restructured into the Parent Teacher Partnership (PTP) focusing on creating fun events for students and parents alike as well as fundraising events.
The Providence Bishop at that time, Bishop Matthew Harkins, requested the Missionaries of Sacred Heart, a Canadian-based society, assume pastoral responsibilities at St. Joseph Church. They did so until 1974. From 1974 to 1989, administrative duties were transferred to the American Province of the Missionaries of Sacred Heart.
In 1922, Father Pierre L’Esperance, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, obtained the old Tom Brown property located on Wakefield Street across the street from the present day school. The vacant general store on the property was quickly converted into a school house. A house on the same property was repaired and used as a convent for the Sisters of Divine Providence who were administrators of the school until 1978.
On September 1, 1923, five Sisters of Divine Providence arrived from their Mother House in Kentucky. Sr. Eugenie Marie served as the first Principal of St. Joseph School. Sisters N. Pradexda Zasnach, Amiee de Jesus, N. Celine Schwaflie, and Amelia Dumouchelle were the first teachers. St. Joseph School officially opened on September 4, 1923 with 135 students in grades one through seven. The eighth grade was added the following year and the first graduation was held on June 14, 1925 when two students received diplomas. A ninth grade was opened in 1929. In 1963, the school returned to a K - 8 model. St. Joseph School remained tuition free until September 1941 when parents were asked to make weekly contributions of twenty-five cents for each child.
As enrollment increased it became clear that the old storefront school house was no longer sufficient. On April 4, 1956 stakes for the new school were put up and construction began at the school’s current location. In August of that year, permission was received to build a convent above the school. On April 29,1957, Bishop Russell J. McVinney dedicated the new school building during a mass celebrated with students in the new gym. The facility was large enough to accommodate 252 students in grades one through nine. It included nine classrooms, an office, a library, a regulation size gym, kitchen, and four bathrooms.
The year 1973 was an important one for families. Principal Sister Mary Bonita Cheevers opened Kindergarten, welcoming 25 new young students. She also created the Parent-Teacher Guild (PTG). Family involvement has remained an enduring characteristic of the St. Joseph School Community.
In 1983, the school library was moved to second floor in the former convent chapel. Currently, the space is used as a middle school classroom. A formal Arts Program was introduced in 1987. Prior to this, classroom teachers taught art and music. That same year, computer was introduced as an option. In 1991, instruction on computer became formalized for kindergarten through grade 8.
In June of 1989, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who established St. Jospeh Parish a century earlier announced that they would transfer the parish to the Diocese of Providence. Bishop Louis E. Gelineau installed Father Charles Downing as the new pastor of St. Joseph Church and head of St. Joseph School. St. Joseph Parish’s recent renovations left it with a heavy debt. Like most Catholic Schools in Rhode Island, St. Joseph School suffered from declining enrollment. The town of West Warwick once boasted of having eight Catholic Schools. In 1989 only three remained.
Fr, Charles rallied the community to rejuvenate and market the school. Between 1989 and 1991, the parents cleaned, repainted, and updated the facility. The positive energy and new enthusiasm contributed in an increase in enrollment. In February of 199,1 a small pre-kindergarten class for three and four-year-olds opened. The program was such a success that it mushroomed into a class with over 40 students in September of 1991. The early childhood program has remained one of St. Joseph School’s strengths. To accommodate the needs of working families, extended-day program was started in 1992. Today before-care operates from 7:00am to 8:00am, and after-care operates from 3:15pm to 5:45pm. In November of 1996, St. Joseph School earned its initial ten-year accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. NEASC re-accredited the St. Joseph School in 2006.
With waiting lists in every grade, the School Advisory Board and Parish Finance Council supported Fr. Downing and Principal John Hernandez’s plans to build a new wing with three classrooms and a handicap accessible entrance. On January 1, 2000 Auxiliary Bishop Robert McManus dedicated the new addition. This allowed the school to move the computer lab and library to the main level. In 1997 St. Joseph School became a participating member in the Catholic Athletic League (CAL). Prior to that St. Joseph Students participated in the local CYO league.
Reverend Robert Perron was installed as pastor of St. Joseph Church in 2014. Since then, Fr. Perron focused his ministry at St. Joseph Church and School on building awareness and community. As vicar of the Diocesan Propagation of Faith, Fr. Perron authored the “God Vision” program which he piloted at SJS. Through it students are challenged to become more socially consciousness. Fr. Perron is passionately supportive of Catholic Education. Through his hands-on approach a series of facility updates, operational changes, and improved safety measures. During the summer of 2015 the original roof was replaced and all incandescent lights were replaced as part of an energy audit. The PTG was restructured into the Parent Teacher Partnership (PTP) focusing on creating fun events for students and parents alike as well as fundraising events.
Pastors of St. Joseph Parish1872 - 1875, Fr. John Couch (Pastor of St. John Church in Centerville, RI)
1875 - 1882 Fr. N. A. Riviers 1882 - 1884, Fr. James A Gleeson 1884 - 1887, Fr. W. B. Meenan 1887 - 1899, Fr. F. Derichmont 1899 - 1904, Fr. Daniel Lahane M.S.C. 1904 - 1941, Fr. Peter L’Esperance M.S.C. 1941 - 1974, Fr. Laurent Bourke M.S.C. 1974 - 1977, Fr. Gerald Sommer M.S.C. 1977 - 1989, Fr. William Ellis M.S.C. 1989 - 2012, Fr. Charles Downing 2012 - 2014, Fr. Michael Colello 2014 - 2014, Fr. Carl Fisette 2014 - 2016, Fr. Robert Perron 2016 - Present, Fr. Gergory Stowe |
Principals of St. Joseph SchoolTerms read fall term to summer term.
1923 - 1926, Sr. Eugenie Marie 1927 - 1927, Rev. L’Experance 1928 - 1928, St. M. Pauline 1929 - 1929, Rev. L’Experance 1928 - 1931, Sr. M. Pauline 1932 - 1937, - Sr. M. Assumpta 1938 - 1946, - Sr. M. Pauline 1947 - 1954 Sr. M. Assumpta 1955 - 1967, Sr. M. Nativa 1968 - 1971, Sr. M. Ellen 1972 - 1977, Sr. M. Bonita Cheevers 1978 - 1982, Miss. Carol Esposito 1983 - 1984, Mr. Barry Ricci 1985 - 1988, Ms. Carol Babiec 1988 - 1993, Mr. John L. Mariarty 1994 - 1996, Mr. Richard Moreau 1997 - 2004, Mr. John S. Hernandez 2005 - 2011, Mr. Richard Keenan 2012 - 2014, Mrs. Louise Kodziz 2015 - Present, Mr. Jim Woodmansee |
| Pawtuxet Valley Historian, Part 1 |
| Pawtuxet Valley Historian, Part 2 |
