New St. Joseph School Building Near Completion; Structure to be dedicated In The Near Future
St Joseph School History
Morning Irontonian, 12 April 1925
Submitted by Brenda Cook
Joe Miller The picture was taken at the funeral mass of Father Schneider.
Finishing touches are being applied at the new St. Joseph school building and in two more weeks, or less, the structure will be completed. And then Ironton will have another structure to which she can point with pride – a building that stands out as a tribute to the stamina, courage, and foresight of the Catholic congregation.
The new school is located on south Sixth street between Quincy and Chestnut – one of the choicest sections in the entire city. Its completion means the end of twelve years of endeavor on the part of members of the church. Money for the building has been collected ever since the old congregation debt was wiped out, for leaders realized long ago that their present quarters were inadequate for the growing congregation.
They “carried on” under the most trying circumstances and are now justly proud because of the success of their efforts. The new school, the building has every feature of the day. It is fireproof, excellently ventilated, heated, and lighted, is roomy and complete, and has a combination gymnasium-auditorium which equals any in this section of the country.
Building Beautiful
The beauty of the design and workmanship is the first thing to strike an observer’s eye, be he inspecting either the interior or exterior of the new school. The structure is of Gothic architecture, attested by all the arched doorways and windows, the sharp-edged corners of the exterior, and the large brick columns which stand on either side of the main entrance. But every detail harmonizes with the general plan of the building and a tour is an enlightenment to one interested in beauty and those things which make the advancement of the city and the progress of our children.
The building fronts Sixth street, but there are both rear and side entrances. Window space abounds and lack of light will never be an objection voiced by students or pupils. It is absolutely fireproof, having steel doors, with wire-enforced glass, at every entrance into the main hallways. The latter is of brick and cement construction, wood being used only on classroom and gymnasium floors.
Wide Main Entrance
One enters the structure from Sixth street through two beautifully shaped doors. A wide stone stairway leads to the main hall of the first floor and directly ahead lies the spacious and beautiful gymnasium – auditorium. Classrooms are to the right ad left. Upon entering one’s eye is attracted by the inscription carved on a large white stone just over the doorway, “Pro Deo, Pro Gratio, St. Joseph School, 1924.” A little higher is the flagstaff and above this is a beautifully designed statue niche. A large stone cross stands out above the entire structure as a token of the denomination of the builders.
Starting at the ground floor. On the lower side of the building is the fireroom, which contains two furnaces, boilers, and an electrical switchboard. Both direct and indirect heat may be generated and no matter which system has used a temperature of 72 degrees can easily be attained in zero weather. Next comes the manual training room, which is well-lighted and admirably located for the purpose. Adjoining is the boy’s shower and restroom with an entrance leading to the gymnasium so that athletes may gain easy access to the showers and lockers.
Fresh Air Circulates
Next to the boy’s room is a large ventilation fan, air which enters from the outside being blown to every room in the building! The domestic science room is located at the upper end of the ground floor and it is equipped with tables and other things necessary for the teaching of culinary art. A large cabinet has already been built.
A large hallway separates the Sixth street rooms from those at the rear and on this latter side is located the girl’s room and then the kitchen. This department is complete in every detail and probably better arranged than any in the state. A double-oven restaurant header is to be installed and the large double-size sink is already in place. On one entire side of the room is a large cabinet for dishes, foods, and materials, one section being drawn out when dinners are served. This permits those attending to march past the opening, secure their edibles and then continue into the main auditorium.
Auditorium Beautiful
A small flight of stairs separates the combination auditorium gymnasium from the group floor. The auditorium is one of the real beauty spots of the structure. All windows are protected by thickly meshed wire and the arched ceiling is high and of concrete construction. Decorations are conspicuous by their absence, the beauty of the hall being attained by the unique and perfect blending of the special bond brickwork. Around all four sides, the bricks are laid in a manner to make special designs and they are far more beautiful than a more ostentatious effort at adornment.
The stage is located at the rear of the building on the fifth street side of the auditorium. It is set back so as not to take space from the seating capacity of size of the main auditorium floor. In the building, those in charge realized it would be used both as a gymnasium and auditorium so several special features were added.
Sliding doors are built under the state, permitting chairs, tables and the like to be placed in a small basement below whenever the school children desire to clear the floor. A receptacle for a grand piano has also been built under the state and all radiators are out of the way. Those on Sixth street are inlaid in the walls while those on the stage side are placed about midway between floor and ceiling. The lights are also protected, by being placed in small wall nooks.
“Bleachers” Built
A “bleachers” or spectator’s gallery is built on the Sixth street side of the auditorium so that many fans may witness athletic games or the like. A wide stairway leads from here to the auditorium floor and there are six separate exits, three leading to the alley in the rear of the state, one to the first floor and then out the main entrance, and the other two to the ground floor, boys and girls restrooms and side entrances. Around the auditorium walls white stones have been inlaid and on these appear the emblems of medicine, architecture, music, drama, art, religion, athletics, etc.
High up and back of the gymnasium balcony, is a moving picture booth, so the “movies” may be shown for education or amusement purposes. It is estimated the auditorium will seat 800 people, comfortably.
The hallways on all three floors are nine feet wide, with the majority of classrooms located on the first and second floors. Each room has a small cabinet for the teachers, in which to hang clothing and keep books and other articles. All window sills are of marble and all window sashes are of steel. Blackboards fun around three sides of the rooms and the desks will be so arranged that all light comes in at the left sides of the pupils.
A feature that stands out in all classrooms is a small cloak closet that has modern vanishing doors. A small shove on one end and the wooden doors disappear with the closet, exposing the entire interior. All the closets are ventilated. Two of these cupboards are in each room, one for boys and one for girls.
Large electric lights are stationed overhead, near the ceiling and the white walls reflect all sections of the rooms.
Small Office Rooms
At both ends of the hallways of the first and second floors are small office rooms, these to be occupied by the faculty, superintendent, and Father Gloeckner. On the first-floor, restrooms have been fitted out on the Chestnut street side for the convenience of faculty and students.
On the second floor is a large assembly room, just double the size of the regular classrooms, where all classes will assemble on special occasions or when the pastor, superintendent, or special speakers wish to make announcements or speak to the whole student body. The entrance to the moving picture booth is also on the second-floor hallway and just opposite it is the library room. Special bookcases and cabinets for it has arrived and will be installed soon. A large colored glass window will be located on the Sixth street side, but it has not as yet
Home For Sisters
A two-story residence building is located just above the schoolhouse property and this will be occupied by the sisters. The children’s playground is located on Quincy street or the lower side of the building.
The auditorium is 46X78 feet in dimension while the state is 17 feet deep and 32 feet long. There are 2160 square feet of blackboard space in the school room, all state.
Six classrooms are located on the first floor, while the boiler room, boys and girls rest room, manual training and domestic science rooms are on the ground floor. There are two classrooms, two recitation rooms, a chemical laboratory, a library, and a 22X63 assembly room on the second or top floor.
Taylor and Lynd were awarded the contract for construction, with the Hoffman and Wolfe Company of Columbus in charge of the heating system. Scherer Brothers, a local concern, was awarded the plumbing contract with E. C. Trumbo as a supervisor for the St. Joseph congregation.
Architects McDonald of Columbus and Cincinnati drew plans for the building but many helpful suggestions were offered by the Sisters, Father Gloeckner, and members of the congregation. Construction work was started on June 25, 1924, and the last touches will have been administered before the end of this month.
The unique effect on the lower and upper sides of the exterior of the building was secured by the perfect laying of bricks in English bond. As mentioned before the perfect blend in the auditorium was secured because the brick was laid up with a special diamond bond.
Pastor Worked Hard
Probably the first person to realize the need for a larger and better school building was Rev. Father Schneider, who died here some ten years ago. Rev. Father W. W. Gloeckner succeeded him and he has been the most ardent booster and supporter of the structure. He has worked tirelessly and continuously in the long drive for sufficient funds to get the work started and members of the one congregation realize a great amount of credit for the ultimate realization of their dreams goes to their pastor. He came to Ironton in 1915 and aside from his pastoral success has won an enviable place in the civic life of the city.
When the school plans were being considered a church committee had charge of the campaign. On this were Henry Rudmann, Fred W. Weber, John Johnson, Frank Scherer, Ed Clark and Ed Holtzapfel. Later a special building committee was named and the old church committee joined so that success would be attained. Members of this latter committee are Frank F. Goldcamp, Jacob Echerer, Charles Lintner, and John Helb. All have proven excellently suited for the committee duties and they also worked tirelessly and long, both before and after construction work was started.
From New to Old
A tour from the new and modern building to the old two-story brick structure at Third and Adams street will show just how highly the congregation must value their new structure. The old school has only four rooms and is entirely inadequate. Of late classes have been held in the parsonage and Sisters’ home.
It was built in 1883 but regardless of its limited quarters some of Ironton’s brightest men and women associate it with their happiest days when looking back on the time when they perhaps unwillingly “went to school”. Columbia Hall, to the rear of the schoolhouse, will be razed but it has not yet been definitely decided what will be done to the old school building. It will probably be left standing for a time but will untimely be torn down.
In years to come a new church building will be erected on the congregation property on Sixth street, and it is to be constructed adjacent to the new school building. A tour of the new school is a real pleasure, bringing with it that “I wish I were back in school” feeling.
A definite date for dedicating the structure has not been set but the ceremony will be held either the last Sunday of this month or early in May. Members of the committee and congregation and the pastor plan to throw the new building open to the public so that they too,
May have the pleasure of touring it. A special program will be arranged for the occasion.
Classes will be held at the old building for the remainder of this term.
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