History of The Catholic Schools In Wyoming

THE HISTORY OF

THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

IN WYOMING

BY
CHARLES E. HARDY

A HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
IN WYOMING
by
Charles E. Hardy

A Thesis
Submitted to the Department of
Educational Administration and to the
Graduate School of the University of Wyoming
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Master of Arts

University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
August, 1971
ABSTRACT

Hardy, Charles E., A History of the Catholic Schools in the State of Wyoming. M.A. Thesis, Educational Administration, 1971.

The purpose of this study was to compile a basic historical description of the Catholic schools in Wyoming, with special emphasis on recent developments, so as to understand better their present position within the Catholic communities and to provide a background for developing their future. Each school was considered individually and recommendations were made in light of the study.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author wishes to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the assistance rendered by his advisor. Dr. Lloyd G. McCullough, during the past four years. Dr. McCullough’s patience, advice and availability were sources of constant encouragement.
Appreciation is extended also to Dr. Margaret E. Ankeney and Dr. George W. Bailey who served as members of the examining committee, and to all the faculty of the Department of Education of the University of Wyoming who have made studying at the University a most pleasant educational experience.
The initial inspiration for beginning this work was given by the Most Reverend Hubert M. Newell, and his constant encouragement and assistance is greatly appreciated. Special thanks are due also to the priests and sisters of the diocese who, without exception, were most cooperative in providing information needed for the study.
The study is dedicated to my parents, Frank and Johanna Hardy, who have sacrificed over many years for the education of their children.

July 12, 1973
Dear Monsignors and Fathers:

Enclosed is a copy of the thesis I prepared sometime ago on the history of the Catholic schools in our diocese. I thought you might like to have a copy for your reference.
In sending the copy, I would like to thank St. Joseph’s Children’s Home for printing the book and having it bound.

May God bless you all.
Sincerely, Charles Hardy, Director of Education
CONTENTS

[i] I. INTRODUCTION [1]
STATEMENT AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM [4]
PROCEDURE FOLLOWED [4]
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY [5]
DEFINITION OF TERMS [6]
SOME PERTINENT LITERATURE [9]

II. CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES II]
BEGINNINGS [12]
PURPOSES OP CATHOLIC EDUCATION TODAY IS]
GROWTH AND TRENDS [16]
CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN WYOMING [21]

III. THE CHEYENNE DEANERY [28]
CHEYENNE: SAINT MARY’S SCHOOL [29]
First Schools and Foundation of the Present School [28]
Saint John the Baptist’s School [29]
Holy Childhood Academy [30)]
Important Developments [32]
Enrollment [33]
Significant Capital Outlay [34]
Administration and Staff [38]
The Educational Program [39]
Other Important Developments [40]
[ii] Present Situation [41]

LARAMIE - SAINT LAURENCE O’TOOLE’S SCHOOL [42]
First Schools [42]
Foundation of Present School [43]
Important Developments [44]
Enrollment [45]
Significant Capital Outlay [45]
Administration and Staff [45]
Educational Program [47]
Present Situation [48]

IV. THE ROCK SPRINGS DEANERY [49]
RAWLINS: SAINT JOSEPH’S SCHOOL [49]
The First School [49]
Foundation of Present School [50]
Important Developments [51]
Enrollment [51]
Significant Capital Outlay [51]
Administration and Staff [53]
The Educational Program [53]
Other Important Developments [54]
Present Situation [56]

ROCK SPRINGS: OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL [56]
Foundation [56]
Important Developments [58]
Enrollment [58]
[iii] Administration and Staff [59]
Other Important Developments [59]
Present Situation [62]

ROCK SPRINGS: SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS’ SCHOOL [62]
Foundation [63]
Important Developments [64]
Enrollment [65]
Significant Capital Outlay [65]
Administration and Staff [68]
The Educational Program [68]
Present Situation [69]

V. THE CASPER AND SHERIDAN DEANERIES [70]
CASPER: OUR LADY OF FATIMA’S SCHOOL [70]
Foundation of the School [70]
Important Developments [73]
Closing of the School [74]

CASPER: SAINT ANTHONY’S SCHOOL [75]
Foundation [76]
Important Developments [77]
Enrollment [77]
Significant Capital Outlay [77]
Administration and Staff [81]
Educational Program [82]
Other Important Developments [83]
Present Situation [85]

[iv] SHERIDAN: HOLY NAME SCHOOL [85]
Foundation [86]
Important Developments [86]
Enrollment [89]
Significant Capital Outlay [89]
Administration and Staff [91]
Educational Program [92]
Present Situation [93]

VI. THE THERMOPOLIS DEANERY [94]
RIVERTON: SAINT MARGARET’S SCHOOL [94]
Foundation [94]
Important Developments [96]
Present Situation [96]

SAINT STEPHENS: SAINT STEPHENS SCHOOL [97]
Foundation [98]
Important Developments [100]
Enrollment [100]
Significant Capital Outlay [103]
Financing [104]
The Educational Program [105]
Administration and Staff [107]
Closing of Schools [109]
Present Situation [110]

WORLAND - SAINT MARY MAGDALENE SCHOOL [111]
Foundation [111]
[v] Important Developments [113]
Present Situation [113]

VII. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS [116]

SELECTED REFERENCES [120]
FIGURES

1. TOTAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [2]

2. TOTAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN WYOMING, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [2]

3. SISTERS AND LAY TEACHERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OP THE UNITED STATES, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [20]

4. SISTERS AND LAY TEACHERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OP WYOMING, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [20]

TABLES

I. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN WYOMING [22]

II. WYOMING CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS, 1912-14 to 1970-71 [24]

III. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST’S SCHOOL, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1884-1887 [29]

IV. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CHILD, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1913-1932 [31]

V. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARY’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1933-1971 [33]

VI. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1944-1971 [35]

VII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OP SAINT LAURENCE O’TOOLE’S SCHOOL, LARAMIE, WYOMING, 1951-1971 [46]

VIII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT JOSEPH’S SCHOOL, RAWLINS, WYOMING, 1951-1971 [52]

IX. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS’ SCHOOL, ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING, 1952-1971 [60]

X. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS’ SCHOOL, ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING, 1951-1971 [66]

XI. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA’S SCHOOL, CASPER, WYOMING, 1963-1968 [74]

XII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT ANTHONY’S SCHOOL, CASPER, WYOMING, 1926-1971 [78]

XIII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF HOLY NAME SCHOOL, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, 1914-1971 [87]

XIV. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARGARET’S SCHOOL, RIVERTON, WYOMING, 1965-1971 [97]

XV. ENROLLMENTS AND SISTERS OF SAINT STEPHEN’S GRADE AND HIGH SCHOOL, SAINT STEPHEN’S, WYOMING 1910-1971 [101]

XVI. SUPERIORS OF SAINT STEPHEN’S MISSION SCHOOL [108]

XVII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARY MAGDALEN’S SCHOOL, WORLAND, WYOMING, 1964-1971 [115]

Back to INDEX		THE HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN WYOMING BY CHARLES E. HARDY A HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN WYOMING by Charles E. Hardy A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Educational Administration and to the Graduate School of the University of Wyoming in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming August, 1971 ABSTRACT Hardy, Charles E., A History of the Catholic Schools in the State of Wyoming. M.A. Thesis, Educational Administration, 1971. The purpose of this study was to compile a basic historical description of the Catholic schools in Wyoming, with special emphasis on recent developments, so as to understand better their present position within the Catholic communities and to provide a background for developing their future. Each school was considered individually and recommendations were made in light of the study. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the assistance rendered by his advisor. Dr. Lloyd G. McCullough, during the past four years. Dr. McCullough’s patience, advice and availability were sources of constant encouragement. Appreciation is extended also to Dr. Margaret E. Ankeney and Dr. George W. Bailey who served as members of the examining committee, and to all the faculty of the Department of Education of the University of Wyoming who have made studying at the University a most pleasant educational experience. The initial inspiration for beginning this work was given by the Most Reverend Hubert M. Newell, and his constant encouragement and assistance is greatly appreciated. Special thanks are due also to the priests and sisters of the diocese who, without exception, were most cooperative in providing information needed for the study. The study is dedicated to my parents, Frank and Johanna Hardy, who have sacrificed over many years for the education of their children. July 12, 1973 Dear Monsignors and Fathers: Enclosed is a copy of the thesis I prepared sometime ago on the history of the Catholic schools in our diocese. I thought you might like to have a copy for your reference. In sending the copy, I would like to thank St. Joseph’s Children’s Home for printing the book and having it bound. May God bless you all. Sincerely, Charles Hardy, Director of Education CONTENTS [i] I. INTRODUCTION [1] STATEMENT AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM [4] PROCEDURE FOLLOWED [4] LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY [5] DEFINITION OF TERMS [6] SOME PERTINENT LITERATURE [9] II. CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES II] BEGINNINGS [12] PURPOSES OP CATHOLIC EDUCATION TODAY IS] GROWTH AND TRENDS [16] CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN WYOMING [21] III. THE CHEYENNE DEANERY [28] CHEYENNE: SAINT MARY’S SCHOOL [29] First Schools and Foundation of the Present School [28] Saint John the Baptist’s School [29] Holy Childhood Academy [30)] Important Developments [32] Enrollment [33] Significant Capital Outlay [34] Administration and Staff [38] The Educational Program [39] Other Important Developments [40] [ii] Present Situation [41] LARAMIE - SAINT LAURENCE O’TOOLE’S SCHOOL [42] First Schools [42] Foundation of Present School [43] Important Developments [44] Enrollment [45] Significant Capital Outlay [45] Administration and Staff [45] Educational Program [47] Present Situation [48] IV. THE ROCK SPRINGS DEANERY [49] RAWLINS: SAINT JOSEPH’S SCHOOL [49] The First School [49] Foundation of Present School [50] Important Developments [51] Enrollment [51] Significant Capital Outlay [51] Administration and Staff [53] The Educational Program [53] Other Important Developments [54] Present Situation [56] ROCK SPRINGS: OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL [56] Foundation [56] Important Developments [58] Enrollment [58] [iii] Administration and Staff [59] Other Important Developments [59] Present Situation [62] ROCK SPRINGS: SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS’ SCHOOL [62] Foundation [63] Important Developments [64] Enrollment [65] Significant Capital Outlay [65] Administration and Staff [68] The Educational Program [68] Present Situation [69] V. THE CASPER AND SHERIDAN DEANERIES [70] CASPER: OUR LADY OF FATIMA’S SCHOOL [70] Foundation of the School [70] Important Developments [73] Closing of the School [74] CASPER: SAINT ANTHONY’S SCHOOL [75] Foundation [76] Important Developments [77] Enrollment [77] Significant Capital Outlay [77] Administration and Staff [81] Educational Program [82] Other Important Developments [83] Present Situation [85] [iv] SHERIDAN: HOLY NAME SCHOOL [85] Foundation [86] Important Developments [86] Enrollment [89] Significant Capital Outlay [89] Administration and Staff [91] Educational Program [92] Present Situation [93] VI. THE THERMOPOLIS DEANERY [94] RIVERTON: SAINT MARGARET’S SCHOOL [94] Foundation [94] Important Developments [96] Present Situation [96] SAINT STEPHENS: SAINT STEPHENS SCHOOL [97] Foundation [98] Important Developments [100] Enrollment [100] Significant Capital Outlay [103] Financing [104] The Educational Program [105] Administration and Staff [107] Closing of Schools [109] Present Situation [110] WORLAND - SAINT MARY MAGDALENE SCHOOL [111] Foundation [111] [v] Important Developments [113] Present Situation [113] VII. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS [116] SELECTED REFERENCES [120] FIGURES 1. TOTAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [2] 2. TOTAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN WYOMING, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [2] 3. SISTERS AND LAY TEACHERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OP THE UNITED STATES, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [20] 4. SISTERS AND LAY TEACHERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OP WYOMING, 1949-50 TO 1969-70 [20] TABLES I. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN WYOMING [22] II. WYOMING CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS, 1912-14 to 1970-71 [24] III. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST’S SCHOOL, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1884-1887 [29] IV. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CHILD, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1913-1932 [31] V. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARY’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1933-1971 [33] VI. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, 1944-1971 [35] VII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OP SAINT LAURENCE O’TOOLE’S SCHOOL, LARAMIE, WYOMING, 1951-1971 [46] VIII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT JOSEPH’S SCHOOL, RAWLINS, WYOMING, 1951-1971 [52] IX. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS’ SCHOOL, ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING, 1952-1971 [60] X. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS’ SCHOOL, ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING, 1951-1971 [66] XI. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA’S SCHOOL, CASPER, WYOMING, 1963-1968 [74] XII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT ANTHONY’S SCHOOL, CASPER, WYOMING, 1926-1971 [78] XIII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF HOLY NAME SCHOOL, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, 1914-1971 [87] XIV. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARGARET’S SCHOOL, RIVERTON, WYOMING, 1965-1971 [97] XV. ENROLLMENTS AND SISTERS OF SAINT STEPHEN’S GRADE AND HIGH SCHOOL, SAINT STEPHEN’S, WYOMING 1910-1971 [101] XVI. SUPERIORS OF SAINT STEPHEN’S MISSION SCHOOL [108] XVII. ENROLLMENTS AND STAFFS OF SAINT MARY MAGDALEN’S SCHOOL, WORLAND, WYOMING, 1964-1971 [115] Back to Top