Moline St. Mary’s High School

Moline St. Mary’s Church / School Complex

School is to the right, Convent on the left, Church to the rear

 The Development of

St. Mary’s Parish and School of Moline

                                                     by Richard Soseman

Territory near Moline was settled very early in the 1800’s.  Campbell’s Island, a few miles upstream, was chartered by George Washington and the US Congress to Judge Mac Neil for the grazing of animals.  Soon after his invention of the self scouring plow, John Deere moved his workshop from the small town of Grand Detour, Illinois, to the bustling city of Moline, in 1842.  The city remained partnered with the other “Tri Cities” of Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa.

The beginnings of Catholic worship in Moline date from the visit of Fr. Marquette and Joliet, in the 1600’s. In the 1850’s the parish of St. Anthony was founded.  This parish was replaced by St. Mary of the Assumption, founded in 1878.  This was a time before universal public education of students was a reality, and so the Catholics of Moline asked that the Sisters of Charity, B.V.M. open a Catholic school at the parish, which soon instructed students of all grade levels.  This school opened in 1884.

According to “The Catholic History of the Tri-Cities” published c. 1905, the Sisters “were given the rooms in the church formerly occupied by Father Greve as a residence.  School was held in the church.   The present school house, with a part built for a Sister’s residence, was completed in 1886.” The history continues:

“The attendance at St. Mary’s school had increased to

such an extent in 1899 that it became necessary to have more

room and to meet the pleasant difficulty, the house and lot adjoining

the school was brought in June, 1899, at the cost of about $2000…

The school was enlarged by two more rooms, these giving ample

room for the seating of 295 children.”

The school continued to grow and flourish, along with the parish and the city of Moline.  In 1907 a new parish was opened in Moline, and Sacred Heart Grade School was started.  This diminished the number of grade school students at St. Mary’s but the school remained the only Catholic high school in Moline.  In 1916 Benedictine Sisters came from Nauvoo to teach at the school, and served there until the school was closed.  In 1926 it was determined that St. Mary’s should increase from its two year high school format to a full four years.  Thus the need for a new school building to house the high school was recognized.  The cornerstone for the present school building was laid on July 29, 1926.  No expense was spared to make this building both beautiful and practical. Limestone facing was installed and small sculptured heads were integrated in the design of the entrance to the school.  Special techniques were used in the brickwork, in order to enhance the beauty of the school building.

In 1949 Alleman Catholic High School opened in Rock Island, and St. Mary’s School continued only as a grade school until Seton Catholic School was formed in 1977.  Alleman opened with 229 students from Moline, and 61 from East Moline.  It would seem that St.Mary’s High School at its close had a student population in the 200s.

Moline St. Mary’s Gymnasium Entrance

The 1926 building is still used, but daily classroom use ceased in 1998. The gymnasium of St. Mary’s was elaborate for its day, but the basketball court was smaller than normal size.  The walls were elaborately tiled, and the balcony over the main entrance contained a projection booth, so that films could be shown on the screen on the stage.  There are two rows of bleachers- actually painted benches on a wooden frame, on each side of the court, the teams sat in the front row, with the fans immediately behind. Moving around during play was prohibited, as there was no room to move between the bleachers and the court without interfering with play.

One can only imagine what the gym must have been like during these high school games.  From my grade school experience playing there, I have one guess- LOUD & HOT.  Any cheer shouted from the sidelines was echoed a hundredfold.  You could never hear anyone, the roar of the crowd was so loud.  Play there was very physical, as the court was compressed and there was not much room. What an experience!

A grade school team photo from 1924 certainly reflects the names of those who played for the high school a few years later: Weaver, Sonneville, Carton, Goethals, Merchie, VanderHeede, Creen.  In those days, the assistant Pastor of the parish was often also the Basketball Coach.

In October, 1992, a reunion was held for all alumni of St Mary’s High School.  A booklet was made for the occasion, listing all of the remaining alumni who were locatable.  159 of the students who attended the school in it’s last days of Spring, 1949 were listed.

Excellent Job Richard Soseman!

MEMORIES

From Rosemary A. Woolley:

“Our class, 1958 just celebrated our 50^th at Rock Island in 2008.  I have given you a link to our memory book, almost completed, if you are interested.  It is more about the class than St. Mary’s in particular.”

https://rosemarywoolley.sugarsync.com/getfiles/bi2vd4x4ibv2s

Seeking More Information

Please forward ANY information you would like to add regarding St. Mary’s High School to ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  We are especially interested in a photo of the former high school building.  You can also write to us at:

Illinios HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631