History of St. Francis Xavier School
Junction City
Below is a history of St. Francis Xavier which appeared in the 1940 school annual, written by a graduate of that year:
For the beginning of St. Xavier's school we go back to the year 1871. Toward the end of 1867 the Reverend Father Fogarty had come to Junction City as its first resident pastor, the first in the present diocese of Concordia. Leafing through the files of the Junction City Daily Union we discover that on June 3, 1868, Bishop Meige administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Saint Francis Xavier parish which at that early day boasted of fifty families.
In the fall of 1871 the Reverend Father Scholl replaced Father Fogarty. This zealous priest realized that if Catholicity was to remain a permanent part of the plains a parochial school was necessary. Born of that zeal, supplemented by the heroism and sacrifices of the Catholic laity and cradled in the knowledge that God would bless the work, the present Saint Xavier's parochial school took its place in Catholic life.
In a school room 20 by 20 attached to the frame Church already in existence the first pupils of Saint Xavier's were guided along the educational route by one Miss Mary McDonald who was also the first parish organist. Lay women continued for years to be the teachers in Saint Xavier's. They labored with all the loving fidelity of the Veronicas who followed in the footsteps of the Perfect Teacher. They gave to the cause of Catholic education the supreme gift— themselves. God blessed the gift and Saint Xavier's prospered. Love and sacrifice are the keys that always open the storehouse of God's blessings. Only this year from our Church was buried one of those early heroines, Miss Marcella Nachtman. We, the present students of Saint Xaviier's, were privileged to attend her funeral and sing the requiem high Mass.
Noble lay women continued to teach in Saint Xavier's until the fall of 1900. Pastors came and went; changes were inevitable, but the parochial school was a permanent institution. In September, 1906, under the pastorate of Reverend John O'Brien of sainted memory three Sisters of St. Joseph came to Junction. From that initial Faculty of three the number has grown to the present eleven. From 1906 until 1918 Saint Xavier's was a parochial grade school. During those years the enrollment increased by leaps and bounds. Teachers came and went. The one who possibly remained the longest and whose influence is still felt is Sister Bernard, the present grade school supervisor. Her name is still a benediction in the homes of Junction City. Successful men and women remember her with gratitude.
The need of a high school became imperative and under conditions that would deter many a staunch heart (World War days) Father O'Brien launched the campaign for a complete new school building. His people matched him in zeal and courage and the present Saint Xavier's is the result of that cooperation. The building begun in 1918 was ready for occupancy in September, 1919. During the years 1918-1919 the first class of high school was taught in the present sacristy by Sister M. Stanislaus who died in the year 1935. Under her expert guidance Saint Xavier's high school was off to a good start. She was a past master in organization and some of the precedents she started are still the traditions of the school. The enrollment of that year was 18. It has since reached the number of 87.
While the building was in the process of construction. Father O'Brien went to Ireland to see his dying mother. In his absence Sister Bernard, ably aided by some of the parishoners, notably Mr. P. M. Hickey, carried on the work, though it seemed a super-human task.
Those who gave liberally to the furnishing of the school were Mr. and Mrs. James Brice, Mr. Thomas Hogan. Mrs. Patrick Doyle. Mr. Chauncey Dewey, Mr. and Mrs. George Caspar, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dunne, and the Altar Society.
The first graduating class of the year 1921 consisted of three boys, who had had high school training in other schools. To these Seniors the Juniors dedicated the first year book. These books were hand-made and typed by the Commercial class. Anna May Dillon illustrated the pages of the books with pen and ink sketches. These year books are the source of our information about the early days of S. X. H. S. An excellent commercial course was offered and of the eight students, six came from other schools to obtain this training. This popular course has increased each year and the school has several national awards to its credit.
From the very beginning the students edited a school paper, at first known as "St. Xavier's News" and later becoming "The Xaverian." Beginning in 1918, book drives were carried on to obtain volumes of reference and supplementary work which formed the basis of the present library.
It has been the custom of each graduation class to present something to their Alma Mater. The first Seniors gave the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of the high school: and succeeding classes have followed the tradition.
We, the present students of St. Xavier's desire to express our appreciation and gratitude to those whose unfailing zeal and loyalty made possible our years in this school. Joining those who have gone before we lift our voices in the chorus of the school's song. "Alma Mater—S. X. H. S. carry thy banner high ! S. X. H. S. long may the colors fly! Loyal to thee thy children will swell the cry. Hail. Hail. Hail, Alma Mater."
—Carnot Bellinger, '40.