"Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes.
He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students". -author unknown
Since 1889
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
1010 Lyons Avenue Schulenburg, Texas
St. Rose of Lima Catholic School has a long history which began in 1889. Father John Kirch, the pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish, asked the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in San Antonio, Texas to operate St. Rose School which was built that same year. The first School was a simple frame building under the direction of Sister Mary Pelagie Biegel, with a beginning enrollment of twenty-three pupils, but which increased that school term to fifty.
By 1893 the enrollment had passed the one hundred mark.
Around 1895, Santa Rosa, as it originally was called, became a public
school, which the Sisters continued to staff. When in 1914 Governor James E. Ferguson
appropriated money to aid rural schools, Schulenburg opened its first public
school and St. Rose became a parish-sponsored school.
1930 Main Building
Present day photo of the 1930 red brick building. This is our main entrance.
In 1930, the old structure was replaced by a red brick building at the cost of $36,000. From 1934-1937 St. Rose had a high school with an enrollment of 237 (grades 1-12). In Schulenburg, the first year students attended 12 years of school was the graduating class of May 1945. In 1953 lay teachers were employed for the first time.
In 1959 a three-classroom building was moved from St. John’s to the St. Rose campus to take care of the overcrowded conditions caused by the closing of schools at High Hill, Ammannsville, Holman, St. John, and Hostyn. This building was replaced in 1984 by a modern structure named the St. Rose Annex.
Family Life Center
St. Rose Family Life Center Gym and Meeting Room
January 2002 ground was broken for the St. Rose Family Life Center. Bishop David Fellhauer blessed the new addition in January 2003. The center meets the need for a full size gym, drama stage, and meeting room. Funding for this project was made possible from grants, memorials, individuals and annual fundraisers.
A very dedicated Home and School Association, as well as many benefactors, support
the school financially.
A very dedicated Home and School Association, as well as many benefactors, support
the school financially.
Early Childhood Center
St. Rose Early Childhood Center for grades 3K and 4K
In April of 2009 the school acquired the Stanzel home and lot located directly across the street from the main building with a grant from the Schmidt Family Foundation. The facility was renovated in the summer of 2009 into an educational facility St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Early Childhood Center for 3K and 4K classes.
Jack Hooper Prayer Garden & Marti Love Children's Chapel
The Children's Chapel in memory of long time Kindergarten teacher Marti Love.
The Marti Love Children’s Chapel and Jack Hooper prayer garden was dedicated May 2012 by Bishop David Fellhauer; paid for by fundraisers and donations. Jack Hooper was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish and attended CCD at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.