White Building Annex
1938

At this time of history, Monsignor Luckey realized that the academy was becoming too small to accommodate the many students that came to get a Catholic education.  Fortunately, in 1938, when more classrooms were absolutely necessary, the First Methodist Church had their frame annex 40’ by 75’ for sale.  Monsignor made the purchase for $3,000. To move this building, it was divided into thirds and moved just just south of the stone academy building. When reassembled and remodeled, it provided three lovely classrooms.  For the first time the grade and high school occupied separate buildings. Eventually this building became known as the White Building Annex.

An addition 32’ by 36’ was added to the White Building Annex in 1945.  It consisted of a new classroom, corridor and a principal’s office. The construction cost was in the area of $8,000.  In 1946, there was 152 grade school pupils and 70 high school students.

Now in 1982-1983, the principal’s office is occupied by the coach of Seven Dolors, Mr. Al Days, and the new classroom is well used by the band and vocal students of both Manhattan Catholic Schools. Presently, Mrs. Fredrica Everett is the vocal and band director.

On April 7, 1954, Monsignor Merchant called a parish meeting to discuss the building of two urgently needed parish units; a new grade school and a convent for the Sisters. Two weeks later, a drive was started under the chairmanship of William Farrell assisted by the building and finance committee, composed of Tom Griffith, Dr. Harold Howe and Mont Green Jr. It was the wish of the Sisters that the grade school or at least part of it be built for starting on the construction of the convent.

On Sunday March 13, 1955, the first four classrooms of the new Seven Dolors Grade School were dedicated. Each room was built to accomodate sixty pupils.  The cost of this structure was in the area of $70,000. Now in 1983, these are rooms 110, 111, 112, and 113, and they are occupied by the kindergarten and grades one and two.

In 1960, the parish purchased three of the four residences in the same block with the Seven Dolors Grade School and the convent. This additional ground would be necessary for future expansion.

It was in 1963, that construction was begun on the grade school. The final addition would consist of nine classrooms, office areas, two lavatories and an all purpose room which was to be a kitchen, cafeteria and gymnasium.

In September, 1975, a kindergarten was opened at Seven Dolors School.  Sister Luella Hake came to Manhattan to be the kindergarten teacher.

The material on this page is taken directly from “The Roots of Seven Dolors Grade School,” a booklet consisting of dates, informative history, reminisces of a former academy boarder, alumni and teachers prepared by the students of Grade Eight A and their teacher, Sister Susan Kongs CSJ written in 1982-1983.

           April 26, 2005
Maintained by kthomas@mcscardinals.org