Orillia Catholic Schools

History of Orillia Catholic Schools

When we look with pride at our modern separate schools in Orillia today, it is hard to realize that they had their beginning in a simple 24' x 18' building. This building was erected in the middle of the last century and was situated in the NW corner, at right angles with the long church in what is now known as the old graveyard on Coldwater Road. Part of the school actually extended on to what is now the present Coldwater Rd.., but was then a rough trail.

The furnaces and fans that keep our schools at an even temperature, are a far cry from the iron stove that graced the centre of the old log school, and that warmed those who sat on the crude homemade wooden benches, to an uncomfortable degree, while those that sat out of range of this same stove, shivered from the many draughts that crept through the mortar filled cracks around the windows, and one solitary door.

The very latest in plumbing facilities is incorporated in our schools of today, whereas teacher and pupils alike were then dependent for their water supply on a spring, at the foot of Tucker's Hill, (the name then given to the steep incline where the school was situated). The carrying of water, and the supplying of wood for the ever hungry stove was the duty of the boys. This stove was used in the new school on West St. also, when it was first built.

In 1852 there were 28 names on the register, although the actual daily attendance only averaged around 6 to 8 pupils, depending often upon which of the chores so necessary to survival in those days, held precedence over the arts of reading, writing and arithmetic, which were considered by many to be unnecessary "frills".

Often, children had to walk a considerable distance to attend this school, and since shoes were an expensive luxury to many of them, they would carry their shoes until they were close to the school, and then put them on, to preserve both their own dignity and the life of the shoes.

By 1877 there were 90 names on the school register, and attendance had improved to the extent that the need for a much more adequate building was impressed upon the members of the parish. The new brick church of The Angels Guardian had been opened a few years earlier, and the decision was made to build a brick school nearby.

Father Campbell was Pastor at this time, and was very active in promoting education in Orillia.

Miss Elizabeth Overend was the last teacher at the log school, and became the first teacher, and principal, in the new brick building.

This school originally bore the name St. Mary's, but somehow this name became lost in the mists of time, and because of its proximity to the Angels Guardian Church, the school also acquired that name, and eventually with the reversal of the church's name became known as Guardian Angels' School. Yet you will not find it listed under name in the telephone directory today, where it simply bears the name Catholic Separate School, West St., despite the fact that the other Catholic schools are listed under their own names.

This school was opened in December 1879, and owing to the large number of students registered, Miss Julia O'Connor, one of Miss Overend's former students, was hired to teach the primary grades in September of the following year. She was followed shortly after, upon her marriage, by Miss Chalue of Penetang, who later became Sister 'Ligouri of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

In all, Miss Overend taught in the Orillia Separate Schools for 32 years, and both parish and schools alike benefitted from her services.

In 1894 a fire severely damaged the interior of the school, while not harming the general construction of the building. While repairs were in progress, the classes, which now numbered four, attended school in various other buildings in the town.

This school satisfactorily net the needs of the parishioners until the 1920's when a further increase in the number of Catholic children in Orillia, was responsible for the establishment of a portable classroom in the schoolyard in 1925. This remained in use until 1957, when a large brick addition was made to the school proper. Since then minor alterations have been made to the building, but a closer look reveals the general outline of the old building. On the Thanksgiving weekend, the portable schoolroom was moved to Dunedin St., and became the property of the West Ward Men's Association. It now plays an important part in the community activities of the West Ward, and is known as the West Ward Community Hall.

By 1957 Guardian Angels School was no longer able to handle the increased number of children requiring a Catholic education, and a new four room school was erected in the South Ward. This school was named St. Bernard's, this being the Patron Saint of their much loved Pastor, Rev. Bernard Doyle. The school was in use for some time before it was officially blessed and dedicated.

Cardinal McGuigan had originally been invited to perform these ceremonies, but upon being informed by his secretary that His Eminence was in Rome and not expected to be back in time to attend, The Dean of the Northern Region, Dean Claire was invited to take his place, and preparations were made for receiving him. Meanwhile in Rome, and noticing the invitation on his desk decided to pay a visit to Orillia. The children, teachers and guests were assembled to pay respects to the Dean when suddenly His Eminence descended upon them, and his unexpected appearance created quite a stir.

Since then this school has received two additions bringing the total number of rooms to ten, one of which is now in use as a kindergarten.

In 1965, it was necessary to build a third school, this time in the North Ward on Fittons Rd.. E. and named for the pastor of the time, Mons F. K. Lee. There is a special memorial in the school to Mons. Lee's Father who was very active in the field of education and was at one time, School Inspector for this area. A portrait of Mons. Lee also hangs in the school. This was presented to the school on behalf of the Catholic Women's League by President Mrs. C.R. Brooks. The portrait of the Queen was a gift from the I.O.D.E. and presented to Sister St. Dorothy, (Principal) on their behalf by, Mrs. R. Ingram and Mrs. Philips of the Lady Margaret Alexander Chapter. This school was dedicated to the Holy Family.

These presentations were made during the official dedication and blessing ceremonies on Sunday, January 9th, 1966 by Mons. J. M. Claire.

Yet still the number of students seeking a Catholic education in Orillia increased, and further expansion was needed to meet the pressing demands. Ecole Samuel de Champlain recognizing the Francophone Catholic population of Orillia, Notre Dame and our Catholic Secondary School, Patrick Fogarty, named in honour of Fr. Fogarty and outstanding supporter of Catholic education, now compliment the original Catholic schools in Orillia.

For why do we send our children to a Catholic school? Because we wish our children to have that extra special grounding in their faith that will give them the necessary strength to meet the many problems they will have to face both in their teens and in their adult life; that "Faith for Testing Times" that we often read of on the billboards of our country today.