School History
Early History
St. Mary School facility in Guttenberg, Iowa, built in 1851 as the first parish church in Clayton County, opened as a school in 1853, following the building of the first brick parish church. The urging of Mr. Bernard Bierman, a German immigrant, prompted this move. St. Mary School was staffed these early years by laity: Michael Faber, J.Kappen, A.Schaller, Frederick Huene, A. Stoller and John Rausch. In 1860 a two story school opened. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, arrived in 1870 to begin what would be 98 years of FSPA teaching ministry in this rural, Mississippi River community. These FSPA pioneer teachers were Sister Mary Regina Meitner, Sister Mary Josepha Biewer, and Sister Mary Clementia. In 1882 enrollment was 72. Mr. David Koopman and Mrs. Margaret Masuen began again the instruction by laity, with the religious, in 1960. The 1882 Decree of the Plenary Council of Baltimore made St. Mary a free parochial school receiving its support from Church pew rental.
The early clergy for this French and German immigrant people were missionaries traveling the Mississippi as early as 1833. The first resident pastor, Rev. G.H. Plahte, was assigned in 1851.The most significant pastor, in relation to St. Mary School, was Rev. J. H. Brinkmann who built the present (Junior High) brick structure in 1894 and the former High School addition in 1921. In 1894 the enrollment was 160 with four Sisters teaching. The High School, fully accredited by the State in 1925, closed in 1968 with the Archdiocesan reorganization of schools.
Records seem to indicate the cost of the 1894 brick structure at $5000. No amount is recorded for the1921 High School, or the 1930 stairway North entrance to the 1894 building; however, the 1962 elementary building is recorded at $130,000. It is a commitment of the present administration to treasure and maintain these structures built on the sacrifices of the past generations. Those early families, as well as present supporters, are to be commended and are remembered in daily prayer for benefactors past and present.
Through the years, Sisters of various communities have staffed St. Mary School: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from LaCrosse, Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Sisters of Notre Dame of Omaha, Sisters of Mercy from Detroit, Sisters of Charity, BVM, of Dubuque, and currently a Sister of the Presentation of Dubuque. Names of significant religious women remembered through the years include: Sister Benigna Schreck, FSPA, Sister Leonita Teeling, FSPA, Sister Olivia Cox, FSPA, Sister Antonine Kivlahan, FSPA, and Sister Imogene Klein, OSF.
Consolidation with Immaculate Conception
In 1968 Immaculate Conception North Buena Vista voted to consolidate its school with St. Mary. Sister Imogene, an I.C. teacher, facilitated this transition of students, furniture and materials to Guttenberg. From that time to the present, combined Religious Education classes have been held regularly for high school students as well as for St. Mary and I.C. students attending public schools at St. Mary’s.
Alumni Association
1922 St. Mary Alumni Association held its first dinner; this tradition continues to this day; 1927 St. Mary High School Orchestra organized; 1929 the “EMBLEM” first published; 1945 the Home School Association was chartered at St. Mary’s; 1962 initial drive for free bus transportation; 1968 High School closed; 1968 hot lunch program established for 256 students;1986 Board approves new kindergarten program; Since 1995 major restoration of the 1894 & 1921 buildings was initiated and a heritage room established, grounds improved, playground and soccer field created, and with these externals a renewed vitality within the learning environment.
2000-Present Day
Entering the new millennium, St., Mary School had an enrollment of 145 students, Kindergarten through 8th grade. The Catholic identity is foremost in the school environment; the curriculum, strong in basics and enrichment activities, meets or exceeds state standards. The fine arts focus is built on the rich tradition of the past. Technology enhances the program, and students continue to succeed as citizens beyond the school campus. A development office has been established to connect with sources of support and alums to invite a return of treasure, time and talent for the firm educational foundation received and to insure that the next generation has an opportunity for a Catholic school education.
St. Mary School facility in Guttenberg, Iowa, built in 1851 as the first parish church in Clayton County, opened as a school in 1853, following the building of the first brick parish church. The urging of Mr. Bernard Bierman, a German immigrant, prompted this move. St. Mary School was staffed these early years by laity: Michael Faber, J.Kappen, A.Schaller, Frederick Huene, A. Stoller and John Rausch. In 1860 a two story school opened. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, arrived in 1870 to begin what would be 98 years of FSPA teaching ministry in this rural, Mississippi River community. These FSPA pioneer teachers were Sister Mary Regina Meitner, Sister Mary Josepha Biewer, and Sister Mary Clementia. In 1882 enrollment was 72. Mr. David Koopman and Mrs. Margaret Masuen began again the instruction by laity, with the religious, in 1960. The 1882 Decree of the Plenary Council of Baltimore made St. Mary a free parochial school receiving its support from Church pew rental.
The early clergy for this French and German immigrant people were missionaries traveling the Mississippi as early as 1833. The first resident pastor, Rev. G.H. Plahte, was assigned in 1851.The most significant pastor, in relation to St. Mary School, was Rev. J. H. Brinkmann who built the present (Junior High) brick structure in 1894 and the former High School addition in 1921. In 1894 the enrollment was 160 with four Sisters teaching. The High School, fully accredited by the State in 1925, closed in 1968 with the Archdiocesan reorganization of schools.
Records seem to indicate the cost of the 1894 brick structure at $5000. No amount is recorded for the1921 High School, or the 1930 stairway North entrance to the 1894 building; however, the 1962 elementary building is recorded at $130,000. It is a commitment of the present administration to treasure and maintain these structures built on the sacrifices of the past generations. Those early families, as well as present supporters, are to be commended and are remembered in daily prayer for benefactors past and present.
Through the years, Sisters of various communities have staffed St. Mary School: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from LaCrosse, Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Sisters of Notre Dame of Omaha, Sisters of Mercy from Detroit, Sisters of Charity, BVM, of Dubuque, and currently a Sister of the Presentation of Dubuque. Names of significant religious women remembered through the years include: Sister Benigna Schreck, FSPA, Sister Leonita Teeling, FSPA, Sister Olivia Cox, FSPA, Sister Antonine Kivlahan, FSPA, and Sister Imogene Klein, OSF.
Consolidation with Immaculate Conception
In 1968 Immaculate Conception North Buena Vista voted to consolidate its school with St. Mary. Sister Imogene, an I.C. teacher, facilitated this transition of students, furniture and materials to Guttenberg. From that time to the present, combined Religious Education classes have been held regularly for high school students as well as for St. Mary and I.C. students attending public schools at St. Mary’s.
Alumni Association
1922 St. Mary Alumni Association held its first dinner; this tradition continues to this day; 1927 St. Mary High School Orchestra organized; 1929 the “EMBLEM” first published; 1945 the Home School Association was chartered at St. Mary’s; 1962 initial drive for free bus transportation; 1968 High School closed; 1968 hot lunch program established for 256 students;1986 Board approves new kindergarten program; Since 1995 major restoration of the 1894 & 1921 buildings was initiated and a heritage room established, grounds improved, playground and soccer field created, and with these externals a renewed vitality within the learning environment.
2000-Present Day
Entering the new millennium, St., Mary School had an enrollment of 145 students, Kindergarten through 8th grade. The Catholic identity is foremost in the school environment; the curriculum, strong in basics and enrichment activities, meets or exceeds state standards. The fine arts focus is built on the rich tradition of the past. Technology enhances the program, and students continue to succeed as citizens beyond the school campus. A development office has been established to connect with sources of support and alums to invite a return of treasure, time and talent for the firm educational foundation received and to insure that the next generation has an opportunity for a Catholic school education.