ELBERTA - The date of Sept. 6, 1921 was an important one in Elberta’s history. Father Thomas Stemmier, O.S.B., pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish and Benedictine monk from St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, watched as the doors opened to St. Benedict Catholic School. He founded the school and invited three Benedictine Sisters from the Sacred Heart Convent to serve as its first educators. They were Sister Assumpta Tomerlin, Sister Johanna Daly and Mother Ottilla, and they taught from 1921 to 1924.

The rest, as they say, is history.

“It’s interesting because where we are with COVID now, the Spanish Influenza was happening 100 years ago, when the school first opened. Now 100 years later, we have this pandemic,” said Dr. Kathy McCool, principal. “I am super proud of our heritage and what’s been done in the last 100 years, and what’s being done now. We’ve kept our doors open; we’re still educating our students. We’re teaching them academics and life skills that are important for all of us.”

The original school began in a two-story building, serving as both school and convent. The first years saw sixty students attend classes in first through eighth grade. Academics included reading, math, religion and German, and classes were dismissed in early May to allow students to return home to work on family farms.

The first years were tough. With no running water, electricity or gas, living conditions were difficult. Shortages of food were not unheard of. The 1930s saw boarders living in the second-floor rooms during the week, returning home on the weekends. A stable was located on the property, housing approximately 11 horses which the students used to commute between school and their farms.

Expansion came in 1952 with the construction of two additional classrooms. Today, those classrooms have been converted into the cafeteria. Improved roads and the purchase of buses allowed the cessation of boarding students in 1953, and the school became a day school solely. Dorothy Russell became the school’s first lay teacher during the 50s.

The biggest change, however, came in 1958, when the original school building was torn down to allow for construction of a larger school building and a newly resurrected convent to house the sisters that continued to serve as principal and in many faculty positions. The last Benedictine principal was Sister M. Cecilia in 1992.

The impact St. Benedict’s has had on the community is undeniable. The school now teaches a few fourth-generation students. It has expanded to a Pre-K3 through eighth grade school, and welcomes all faiths, with over 30 percent of the current students enrolled being non-Catholic. After 100 years of serving the community and educating students, the faculty plans to continue fulfilling the mission of St. Benedict’s.

“I, along with the faculty and staff, pledge to build upon the foundations of excellence laid before us to provide the best personalized comprehensive experience for all students,” McCool said. “This is where my son attended and I have witnessed firsthand the educational and spiritual impacts Benedict builds within their graduates.”

Moving forward, McCool says she hopes to see the school’s mission remain strong for the next 100 years. Future initiatives include the continuous improvement in quality academics and individualized instruction, resource assistance, and expansion of facility and grounds.

“This generation of people who were called to be here, it’s more than a job to them,” said McCool. “It’s more than just a teacher, more than just a secretary, it’s truly a mission. God has placed each of us here. We had a phenomenal year because we know God wants us to be here, to teach the future generation. That dedication is something our parents recognize, and that’s why they bring their kids here each year. So we’ve stayed going for 100 years thanks to our teachers, our parents, and the community. It takes all of us, our willingness to work together, hand in hand, for the students. It’s all for the students.”

The school will continue celebrating its centennial with a Centennial Mass on Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. The mass was supposed to be held last year, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Last year also saw the first time in history the school’s Annual German Festival was cancelled. This year, it will take place on Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. It will feature a drive thru German Sausage line, traditional German pastries and baked goods, and a possible virtual 5K.

You can schedule a private tour by calling 251-986-8143 or emailing kmccool@saintbenedict.net. The school is located at 12786 Illinois Avenue, Elberta. For more information visit https://saintbenedict.net.