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Shrine Catholic Grade School History

1930s | 1940s-80s | 1990s | 2000s

1934 - Father Charles E. Coughlin, pastor, is notified that he must make provisions for the education of the parish children, who formerly attended Saint Mary School. Father Coughlin immediately contacts Mother-General Mary Regina from the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse in Cincinnati. After having visited Royal Oak, Mother promises four sisters to begin the parish school. The former Marion Burton Public School on Scotia Road is leased as a temporary school. The condition of the school is disreputable. Every pane of glass is broken and 18 inches of water covers the basement floor. Crews work on night and day shifts in order to make it fit for occupancy on the set date.

September 10, 1934 - When the sisters first come to Royal Oak, they found it to be a place of wilderness rather than of habitation. The only indication of a parish is the small wooden church. As yet, there is neither school nor convent. For four weeks the sisters reside with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Coughlin on Hogarth Street in Detroit. Meanwhile, the organist’s home at 2127 Roseland Avenue is being converted into a convent. Later in 1935, the entire building is moved to 12 Mile Road.

September 17, 1934 - The school on Scotia Road opens for 230 pupils. The faculty consists of:

Sister Adele Clifford, Sister Superior, Grades 8 & 7
Miss Margaret Kampman, Grades 7 & 6
Sister Agnes Rita Von Dreska, Grades 5 & 4
Sister Louise Gattes, Grades 3 & 2
Sister Francetta Hanlon, Grades 2 & 1

Winter 1935 - This winter is unusually bitter. The many snows and freezing weather make traveling to and from school very difficult. Sister Agnes Rita is stricken with a severe cold the latter part of November, and after an illness of three days, dies at St. Joseph Hospital, Mt. Clemens as a result of pneumonia. Sister Adele is also taken ill in December and returns to the Motherhouse in Cincinnati.

January 3, 1936 - Sister Genevieve Gerhardus arrives as Sister Superior.

March 17, 1936 - A free day is planned, but terminated as a day long to be remembered. At 6:30 am a blaze is discovered on the roof of the little shingle church, and within 15 minutes, the little structure is a veritable “Fiery Furnace.” Father Keating rescues the tabernacle and places it in the convent. Father Coughlin and neighbors extinguish the fire and someone remarks, “We must set up a cross that can’t be burnt.” The Crucifixion Tower is the eventual result.

1938 - The present Shrine Grade School is built.

Christmas 1938 - The Christmas holidays are spent moving into the new grade school.

January 4, 1939 - Shrine Grade School opens. The children congregate on the esplanade and, after receiving a hearty welcome from Sister Rosarita, the children enter the new edifice.