Guide to the Saint Mary Parish, Grade School, and Marion Catholic High School Collection

Biography of Biography or History

The Sisters of Charity opened St. Mary School to 100 students in 1875. Sister Sylvester Williams, Principal, was assisted by two other Sisters. By 1900, the number of Sisters had grown to seven. In 1906, a new school building was ready, as was the convent which would serve the Sisters for the next 80 years. No definite date is given for the opening of St. Mary High School, but it was in existence by the early 1900's. St. Mary Grade School's peak enrollment was reached in 1957---679 students, but was 200 under that total five years later. In 1957, the Grade School, moved into the vacated high school building, a situation created by a change in facilities. St. Mary High School moved to an all-new facility in a new location and became known as Marion Catholic High School. The last Sisters of Charity to serve at Marion Catholic were Co-Principals Sisters Virginia Scherer and Dorothy William Englert. The last Sister of Charity Principal of the Grade School was Sister Mary Carol Wintzinger who withdrew in 1984.

Scope and Content

Included in this collection are five file folders containing, in part, historical reports, news clippings, historical information, and a listing of the Sisters who ministered at Saint Mary Grade School and Marion Catholic High School.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access and Use

Permission to use the collection can be obtained from the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Congregational Archivist. External researchers need to complete a request form stating the purpose of their research and a list of collections to be consulted upon their visit, which must be approved by the Archivist prior to an on-site visit. If a researcher is unable to visit the Archives in person, the Archivist will conduct a minimum amount of research and provide scanned copies of some materials if requested.

Photos -- 21 Box 35 in repository Can be viewed in notebook 23 Artifact: Watch--24 hours on the face of the watch. This African watch was a gift from Monsignor Joseph M. Denning to Sister Marguerite Schuler, when she was a novice in 1922. At the time Monsignor Denning was serving as a United State Diplomatic Agent in Morocco and Consul General at Tangier. The appointment was given by President Warren G. Harding. They had become friends when Monsignor Denning was pastor of St. Mary Church in Marion, Ohio, and Mr. Harding was editor of the local newspaper, "The Star". Sister Marguerite was the last girl that Monsignor Denning sent to the Community. Given to the Archives in 1958. Stored in Repository. SC Intercom Articles (not in collection): "From our readers" (June 1986) "From our readers" (November 1986) Material on this mission may also be included among our oral history and presentation transcription collections. Please consult with the Congregational Archivist if you would like to explore and possibly utilize these collections.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

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Preferred Citation

Saint Mary Parish, Grade School, and Marion Catholic High School Collection, Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Archives, Mount Saint Joseph, Ohio.

Detailed Description of The Collection