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HISTORY
  
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�Education without an understanding of God and moral principles is empty and useless.� This was the view of our former Pastor and school founder, Father Vincent Galliano. He felt very strongly about the incorporation of religious and moral values with a good education. Therefore, in 1944, Fr. Galliano put into action his dream of a parochial school in our Parish. His dream became our reality on September 3. 1945 when the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary School opened its doors to the 205 children of our community enrolled in the Kindergarten through 3rd grade. The school was and still is staffed by the Religious Teachers Filippini, a community founded in Italy in 1692. Acting as our school�s first principal was Sister Mary A. Santora. Sisters Zita Torlai, Mary Schimizzi, Anna Eleuteri and Rosemary Dottore assisted her. By 1950, BVM School housed Kindergarten through 8th grade. At this time, there were over 400 children enrolled in our school.
1951 proved to be a very historical year for BVM School when Fr. Galliano presented to our first graduating class of 28 students their diplomas. Shortly after that historical moment, Fr, Galliano passed away but his dream was not forgotten. In September of 1951, Father Joseph Fabbri became Pastor and with the help of the parish families, contin�ued to build up the Catholic Education in Ellwood City. During his tenure, another milestone was reached. Our Parish purchased an old house on 3rd Street and Crescent Avenue. Fr. Fabbri had the structure gutted and completely rebuilt to accommodate the Sisters of our Parish. One of the renovations that took place was the addition of the beautiful Chapel. In it is held stained glass windows evident of impor�tant symbols in the life of the Religious Teachers Filippini. The convent, which was dedicated in 1956, is still home to the Sisters who staff our school and Paris.
In the fall of 1956, Father Nicholas Biondi succeeded Fr. Fabbri as Pastor. Seeing the need for expansion, Fr. Biondi added a second floor onto our school. This addition was completed in 1959. Following Fr. Biondi�s stay with us was Father Domenic DeBlasio. He was welcomed into our Parish in 1966 and he too became involved in our school. Fr. DeBlasio remodeled the Catholic Center for the benefit of the children. It became a gymnasium for physical education classes and a home court for our basketball teams. At this time, there were over 600 children enrolled in BVM School. Fr. DeBlasio was transferred and Father Francis Pucci was welcomed as our next Pastor. In 1971, BVM School merged with St. Agatha School and together became known as the Ellwood City Catholic School. The Humility of Mary along with the Filippini Sisters taught there. In 1978, seven years after this merge, BVM School reclaimed her name and continued to accommodate the growing need for religious academic education in our Parish.
Though BVM School was a successful and thriving school, it suffered a devastating fire on October 7, 1973. This proved to be a major setback for the school and Parish. Classrooms were lost, stairwells were destroyed and supplies lay in ruins. The fire, which started in the stage area of the Center, completely destroyed the gym. Through love and dedication, the parish families and church pulled together to rebuild a structure of cement and ceramic block that was stronger than the original facility.
1980 brought Father Joseph Dascenzo to our Parish as Pastor. He became very involved in our school. However, due to the wonderful Junior High Schools in our area, BVM School had to become solely a Kindergarten through 6th grade elementary school. Therefore, in the 1989-90 school year, the 7th and 8th Grade students attended Junior High in the public schools in the area. Fr. Dascenzo served our Parish with dedication until his transfer in 1992.
Under the guidance of Father Mauro Cautela, who arrived in 1992 many changes took place. He established the Angel Fund for the purpose of tuition assistance. He installed a security system that protects our children during school hours.
Through the direction of Principal, Betty Jean Takacs and the assistance of Sister Rose Vallelunga, Sister Mary Zucca and a dedicated staff, our children are learning at a school that has been accredited by the Middle States Association and the National Catholic Education Association�
To put the history of 54 years on one page does not give our great school the justice due. However, looking at the school today and the many families who have helped throughout the 54 years of this area's Catholic education is a tribute to any establishment, especially the BVM School.
With the dedication of parishioners, staff and Pastors, the school has and will continue to be a religious and academic asset to the many lives it continues to touch.
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311 Lawrence Avenue
Ellwood City, PA 16117
(724) 758-5591
"What
we teach, we teach for life"
Copyright
� 2001. All Rights Reserved. |
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