Celebrating 50 years at St. Bruno

Posted: Jan. 25, 2012

St. Bruno Parish and School archivist Debbie Hendrick was 2-years-old when the school opened its doors on Sept. 6, 1961 and 82 students met their teachers in three classrooms for the first time. It was a memorable date for the parish, which had its roots planted deep since the congregation began 160 years ago in 1852. The church was built 125 years ago on Highway Z in Ottawa in 1887.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the school's opening, Archbishop Jerome Listecki will be presiding over an anniversary celebration Mass along with Rev. Ralph Gross at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29.

When the school started, three teachers from the School Sisters of Notre Dame each taught about 28 students and had about 12 students in each grade. The first principal, Sister Julita, lives in Illnois and hopes to attend the anniversary event, according to Hendrick. Hendrick and a group of 194 St. Bruno School alumni have been working on compiling the school history based off class pictures. Hendrick became the St. Bruno archivist in 1981 after she read a notice in the church bulletin. She immediately rushed back to the church to claim the job, afraid someone else would take the position, only to find that no one else was interested.

"I knew right away that was the job for me," said Hendrick.

Archivist memories

Since then Hendrick has compiled thick books with padded covers that encompass the history of the church, parish and school. Hendrick's family moved to the area in January of 1966 and she spent the rest of the school year as "the new girl."

In her archivist's memories, Hendrick tells how her teacher would pin a Kleenex to the heads of any girls who did not wear a scarf to church, since it was considered a sign of respect. She recalls the style back then of girls wearing round, lace "doily-like" headpieces to Catholic Mass.

"I always wanted one, but never had one, and so I had to wear the dreaded Kleenex to church every single day," said Hendrick.

Early years

In December 1961, the Dousman Index chronicled the first school Christmas program held at the church including a portrayal of "the greatest story ever told."

Ralph Peters started the Waukesha County Catholic Basketball League in 1962 and coached the sixth through eighth grade St. Bruno Wildcat teams for the next 25 years, according to Hendrick.

By May 1963 St. Bruno School sisters modeled the new religious habits with winged headpieces that were adopted by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

St. Bruno's Parish and School set another historical milestone on June 7, 1963, with the school's graduation of the seven eighth-grade students who started school in September 1962.

"In the chronicles as well as in the heart of the parish, the following students will always hold a very special place: Charles Gawenda, John Gramling, Michael Hanus, Timothy Hettich, Kathleen Igl, Daniel Reedy, and Kenneth Strand," Hendrick recorded for the school's history.

Throughout the years, basketball played a vital role in the school's history, with school cheerleaders cheering the boys teams during competition.

In 1969, a special meeting of the school board was called to discuss the school financial difficulties since all three nuns, who taught for free, would be leaving at the end of the term and the school could not afford to pay another lay teacher salary. Up to that point, tuition at St. Bruno had been free and enrollment had reached 102 students.

Expanding

Throughout the '70s students continued being taught at St. Bruno and on March 12, 1978, ground was broken for a school addition consisting of five classrooms, a library, kitchen, new bathrooms and an office. The addition was finished in time for the opening of the 1978-79 fall term, Hendrick noted.

By 1985, the school reached its peak enrollment with 179 students with tuition running $250 for the first child, $100 for the second and $50 for additional children.

All-day kindergarten was offered at St. Bruno in 1997. In 2002, enrollment dropped below 100 for several years then rebounded to 103 students in 2005. Current principal Ralph Lynch joined the school in 2009.

Hendrick's memories including desks tipping over as students reached for books below the seat, seventh and eighth grade being taught in the pastor's basement, and girls protesting against the school's "No Pants Rule" to get the rule changed. As Hendrick's grandchildren mark the third generation of her family to attend St. Bruno School, she proudly continues to record the school and church history.

"I still carry with me, and hopefully live my life, according to the faith, beliefs, values and morals that were taught to me all those years ago at St. Bruno School," said Hendrick.