St. Francis Xavier School first opened on the corner of 8th Street and Jefferson Avenue in the fall of 1921. The building, purchased in 1920 by the parish, was originally built by prison labor as a home for Richard McFadden, the first warden of the WV State Penitentiary, which was located in Moundsville. Classes were held on the first floor, while the second floor was a convent for the Sisters who taught the children.
Reverend M. J. Coghlin, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, had just built a new church, but the Bishop requested that a school also be opened in Moundsville. Father Coghlin asked the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wheeling for help. The first principal, Sister M. Consilia Coghlin, brought in some of our first teachers, including Sister M. Marie, Sister Theresa Marie, Sister Clare Agnes, Sister Bertha, Sister Immaculate, and Sister Mary Magdalen.
When the school first opened, it consisted only of grades one through six and had only one lavatory, which was located in the basement for the use of the entire student body. An addition was completed in 1922, so in 1923 the seventh and eighth grades were added, and we had our first class of graduates. In 1927, the school celebrated its first actual graduation liturgy and breakfast on June 6 with a class of fifteen, and thus began a tradition that would continue for many years.
In 1949, the school sponsored its first football team in the Wheeling Parochial League. The first three games were played with just helmets and shoulder pads because the rest of the uniforms did not arrive on time! In 1954, the first uniforms for girls were introduced - a navy jumper and white blouse. The Legion of Mary was formed for the girls in 1956 under the direction of Mary Darwish. With great devotion to our Blessed Mother, this group said the Rosary regularly and had it broadcast over the local radio station. Also in 1956, the original school colors of blue and gold were changed to black and gold because of a similarity with two other schools in the area.
On April 14, 1959, Reverand Benjamin F. Ferrell announced that a new parochial school would be built on the corner of Sixth Street and Jefferson Avenue to accommodate the growing number of students at S. F. X. Three homes were torn down and construction began on June 1, 1959. The new, modern facility, a duplicate of St. Agnes School in Charleston, opened to students in September of 1960. The new school had 12 classrooms, each equipped with televisions to be used for instructional purposes. The two-story structure was constructed with fire-proof materials throughout and was faced in brick to match the church. Estimated cost of the new school was $260,000.00
After the new school opened, the mascot of the Black Knights was chosen for the school teams through a student contest sponsored by Monsignor Ferrell in 1961. In 1966, Marshall County began bussing our students directly to the school, and with that convenience, our school continued to grow.
In 1976, our first secretary, Mrs. Mary Taskalines, began working at the school. Before this, our principal, who was also busy teaching 8th grade, had her students answer the phone whenever it rang! Also in 1976, the school uniforms were changed to a yellow blouse and brown plaid jumper or skirt for the girls. Boys' uniforms were required for the first time, consisting of dark brown slacks and yellow shirts. Later, the shirts were changed to white for both girls and boys.
Brother Nick Caffrey, F.M.S., became the first male principal of the school in 1978. St. Francis Xavier School was accredited by North Central Accreditation in 1979. Also, Kindergarten was added to the school this same year, with Mrs. Anna Lutz as its first teacher. In 1981, the school had its first lay principal, Miss Sharon Wolen. Pre-school began at St. Francis in 1989 with teacher Mrs. Beckie Cottage.
1989 was important to the growth of St. Francis Xavier School because this is when Xavier Hall, the school's all-purpose building, was added directly behind the school on the corner of Sixth Street and Baker Avenue. Xavier Hall opened new horizons for S. F. X. because it contained a gym, a stage for school productions, a well-equipped kitchen, locker rooms, showers, a meeting room, and storage rooms.
In 1991, the Development Office was created by the joint efforts of our pastor, Fr. Joe Glancy, TOR, and our principal, Sister Marianne Baker, MSC. Joan (Albertini) Estep, a graduate of the school, was hired as the first part-time Development Director. Our first alumni newsletter went out in 1991, and the first Annual Fund was held in 1993. The school held an all-school alumni reunion to celebrate our 75th anniversary in the summer of 1996.
The 1990s saw technology become ever more important to the curriculum of the school. Computers were placed in each classroom, and a computer lab was added in the library. In May of 1998, networking was installed throughout the school, and all computers were made Internet accessible. Growth in technology acquisitions and integration is on-going. St. Francis took advantage of the federally funded e-rate program in 1998 and continues to apply for this telecommunications and technology discount every year.
In 1999, Catherine (Patrello) Frame was hired as principal of St. Francis. She is the first graduate of the school to serve in this position. Prior to becoming principal, Mrs. Frame was the 8th grade homeroom teacher and taught English to grades 5-8 for 9 ½ years. Under her direction, St. Francis has grown to truly be a school of excellence. The mathematics curriculum was expanded with the hiring of an extra teacher to allow for students to take Algebra while in eighth grade. A Spanish curriculum was also added on every grade level. Mrs. Frame also spearheaded the drive to install smartboards in every classroom, bringing our school into the twentyfirst century. She retired at the end of the 2008-2009 school year after ten years as our principal.
Mr. John Buffington has begun his tenure as principal of St. Francis Xavier school with enthusiasm and dedication. He brings with him a long list of credentials and experience from his career as educator and administrator in Pittsburgh Diocese Schools.
St. Francis Xavier School has contributed many bright, resourceful, young men and women to society, and we are proud of their achievements! Our students have distinguished themselves in many fields, and they are sure to continue to do so long into the future.
Under the direction of pastor Fr. Ronan Deegan, our parish church was completely renovated in 2005. It is wonderful to share the beauty of the church with a new generation of children, who will grow up loving this church and their faith as much as we have in the past. Father Ronan retired in June of 2009, and the parish has welcomed Father Edward Stafford as its new administrator.
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