St. Joseph Catholic School

The School that refused to Die

Catholic education in Yoakum began when the log church on Supplejack Creek was built in 1850 and continues today. The school was private and the only one in the community.  By 1892, the school had become known as a parish school. This log building later burned, destroying all parish records prior to 1895.

In 1895 the Sisters of Incarnate Word from Hallettsville started the Yoakum Convent and school. They were sent to form an independent House of Yoakum. Around 1900, the Sisters acquired 2 lots in Yoakum and had their building at Brushy Church dismantled and moved to these lots. According to former students, the Sisters taught in a little 3-room house at 210 Orth St., coming in each day from the Brushy Convent. St. Joseph’s Academy held its first graduation in 1902 with 4 graduates.

The Sisters of Yoakum struggled with their House and ultimately applied for affiliation with the Convent in Victoria in 1905. The Convent of Victoria then gave up the school in 1911 due to ongoing financial and operational difficulties.

The Sisters of Divine Providence then took over operation of the school under assignment from Bishop J.W. Shaw. By 1913, their student rolls exceeded 100, and an additional teacher was needed. It is known that the financial status of the school and the community was limited.  Parents paid tuition of one to two dollars per child, depending on the grade. Children were taught however, regardless of their ability to pay. The parish did not contribute financially to the school. Little else is recorded during those early, hard years until 1918 when the influenza epidemic struck this country hard. The school was closed indefinitely because so many children became ill.  Even church services were suspended for some time.

In 1925 the Parish board was determined to build a new school. Construction for the current 3 story, brick building began in 1926 and was finally completed in 1929 at a cost of 90,000 dollars. In January 1928, Rev P.J. Kieffer made arrangements to operate St. Joseph’s on a parochial school basis. This was intended to solve the long-standing financial problems experienced by the Sisters.

The new school was dedicated on March 19, 1929. Shortly after, the Stock Market crashed and the nation entered the Great Depression. For years following, the school struggled to make even the annual interest payments. In fact, the Archbishop in 1936 finally ordered that St. Joseph School be closed. The letter was sent to Monsignor F.O. Beck along with marriage compensation papers for a couple in the parish.  Father Beck mistakenly filed the unopened letter with the marriage papers. A month later on the eve of the wedding the file was opened and the Archbishop’s letter was discovered. Father Beck’s heart sank as he read the note stating, “to close St. Joseph’s School and do not ask for postponement this year. This is final.”  Father Beck was caught in a pickle. The faculty was hired and the school year set to begin.  The Archbishop by this time was out of the country visiting Holland. The school was allowed to stay open in his absence and no further attempts were made to close the school that are known. Father Beck, however, was soon after transferred to Hallettsville with the instructions prepare and organize the parish for the erection of a new parochial school. God does work in mysterious ways.

St. Joseph School is known as the school that wouldn’t die. It has certainly proven to be true. Monsignor Beck managed three different times to change the Bishops mind to save the school from closing. Through out the years the dedication of the Sisters, St. Joseph’s parish priests, parishioners, alumni, parents, students and the faculty, St. Joseph’s School has survived and with the dedication and God’s blessing we will continue to survive and flourish.