St. Mary of the Rosary Parish School - Chewelah, WA
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T0SHEA
N 48° 16.567 W 117° 42.621
11U E 447294 N 5347234
This former Roman Catholic School can trace its roots back 128 years, to 1885, though it is 13 years shy of being 100 years old.
Waymark Code: WMJNM9
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 12/09/2013
Views: 1
Organized in that year, 1885, St. Mary of the Rosary Parish began as a Jesuit mission under Jesuit missionary Father Aloysius Folchi. It continued as a mission until being taken over by the Diocese of Spokane in 1916. Before the construction of this building, the parish met in a building it had purchased and converted to a church. Today that same building is home to the American Legion, Post 54.
Construction of this building began in 1905 and was brought to completion in 1907, the construction being overseen by Jesuit missionary Father Balthazar Feusi. Renovations were undertaken in 1964 and 1971, and in 1994 the building received its striking copper spire, topped with a gilded copper cross. In 2001 a new parish hall was added to the building, which now houses the church's offices, meeting rooms, etc.
In 1926 a Catholic School was built next door, continuing in operation until its closing in 1969. It served as the priest's residence for a short while and is now used for various church and community functions. The single storey building with full basement originally had four classrooms and was run by the nuns of the parish.
Before the school was built, classes were held in the old church building, now the American Legion building.
