History of St. John the Evangelist School
St. John the Evangelist Grade School was built on Jefferson Street (formerly Center Street) in 1912-13 under the pastorate of Father Bernard P. Kenna. The dedication took place Sept. 7, 1913, and classes began that same month. St. John School was Uniontown’s first parochial school.
The new school, built directly across the street from the church, was a red brick building, three stories high. It had six large classrooms and a spacious third floor auditorium with a stage and small balcony. A frame house next door was acquired for a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, Baden, who originally staffed the school.
In 1914, high school classes were added to the curriculum. Having both high school and grade school classes in the same building, coupled with increasing enrollment, eventually led to a parish building program initiated by Father Kenna.
In 1935, Father Thomas J. Dunn became the pastor. Under his direction, the decision to build a new school was made. It would be located on property behind the church owned by the estate of the late Congressman Allen Cooper. Included was the Cooper mansion located on Pennsylvania Avenue to be used as a convent and possibly for additional classrooms.
The new two story brick building had eight classrooms and large gymnasium in the basement. With the completion of the grade school, St. John High School took over the entire building on Jefferson Street. This led to a greatly expanded program of extracurricular activities including forensics, choir, yearbook, catechism teaching and CYO athletics.
Under the tutelage of James “Lash” Nesser, who coached for a quarter century, the St. John Eagles won the diocesan championship year after year. In 1965, they won the state championship, and in their final year, they advanced to the state public/parochial finals.
Rising costs and the problems of maintaining an old building finally forced the closing of St. John High School, the last class graduating in 1976. St. John Elementary School has continued in operation for generations of boys and girls, a tribute to the foresight and sacrifice of priests, religious, teachers, parents, parishioners and other friends of the school.
Growing enrollment and enhanced programs created the need for more space. The carriage house for the convent, known as the “music room” for years, was converted into the first kindergarten class in 1977. Locker rooms were converted into additional classrooms, and more classrooms were established in the St. Francis Center, the former Trinitarian Convent in 1992. Recent additions to the school program include a preschool for three and four-year-old children since the 1990-91 school years and a learning support program for students with special needs during the 1993-94 school year.
The gymnasium was restored in fall 1991. In summer 1993, the main entrance of the school was reconstructed and equipped with a ramp. Side entrances were rebuilt adding a ramp and planters in summer 1994. Then in 1997-98, the school and gymnasium roofs were replaced and air conditioning was installed in the gymnasium.
The main school building, located next to St. John the Evangelist Parish and rectory, is a two story brick structure with a multifunctional lower level. This building houses eight classrooms and a teachers’ workroom. The lower level houses the gymnasium, which also serves as the cafeteria, one conference room and one computer lab. The administrative offices are in the lower level of the school. It also houses the nurse’s and guidance offices.
The preschool class is in the former carriage house of the parish convent, and a room for kindergarten students was built in the basement of the former carriage house. Speech therapy, remedial math/reading and learning support are in the upper level of the carriage house.