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History of St. Joseph & Gehlen Catholic School
The first Catholic Mass in Le Mars was held on April 24, 1870 in the home of Mr. Peter Gehlen, a pioneer Catholic citizen-benefactor of LeMars. Mr. Gehlen was a devout Catholic who believed in serving the community. Mr. Gehlen led the movement to establish Catholic parishes in Le Mars and donated the land on which the school and St. Joseph Parish stand. Mr. Gehlen started several commercial enterprises but was known mostly for his flour mill located next to his home near the
Catholic education began with the establishment of St. Joseph Parish in 1875. Father Herman Meis, the first pastor, organized the first Catholic school. With the help of a parishioner, Mr. Manning, he conducted classes in the fall of 1876. In May of 1879, the Sisters of Christian Charity came to staff the school.
Father J.P. Barron organized St. James Parish in 1883. For a time, a small parochial school was conducted in the basement of the Church, first by the Sisters of Charity and then by the Dubuque Franciscans. Since that time, St. James Parishioners have attended
In 1901, Msgr. F.X. Feuerstein directed the construction of the
A joint committee of both parishes began plans for a new central Catholic school in 1950, which was named after Mr. Gehlen. A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 29, 1952. On May 2, 1954, commencement exercises were held for the first graduating class from
The Sisters of Humility joined the high school staff and two convents were built, one at Gehlen Catholic and the other at St. James. In 1961, the Sisters of St. Francis joined the staff.
In the same year, the parishes of
In 1961, a successful fund drive resulted in the construction of a new multi-purpose room and a complete remodeling of the high school building.
On August 31, 1995, St. Mary's Parish in Maurice was closed by the Diocese of Sioux City.
A 1996 capital campaign resulted in the completion of a facility joining the elementary and high school building in 1998. That fall, the
In July 2008, the old St. Joseph School was razed. A memorial is currently being designed using the bricks from the old school to create a lasting tribute to
In August or September 2010, the Linda Freking ('79)-Bouma Wellness Center, new concession stand and restrooms will open. These projects are made possible thanks to the generosity of the Freking & Bouma families, the Community Foundation for Greater Plymouth County, the Hotel/Motel Sales Tax Advisory Board, businesses, alumni, families & friends of Gehlen Catholic.
A proud part of the tradition and growth of the Le Mars area and the Sioux City Diocese, Gehlen Catholic continues to serve the Lord and His People by providing an outstanding Catholic education.