The inception of St. Matthew Parochial School began in 1863 when Mrs. Julia W. Dabbs and Miss K. Moran conducted the first denominational school in Monroe. In 1866 the Daughters of the Cross from St. Vincent's Convent in Shreveport, Louisiana, took charge of the Catholic School in Monroe and started St. Hyacinth's Academy. In 1881 the Daughters of the Cross purchased the two buildings adjoining St. Hyacinth's Academy. This purchase enabled them to admit several boarding pupils and to open a class for boys. The corner stone of St. Matthew Parochial School was blessed on May 10, 1928. The Bishop of Alexandria, Bishop Van de Ven, was present for the laying of the Cornerstone for St. Matthew Parochial School. The event was held at 3:00 P.M. at the school on May 10, 1928. The stone was placed in the center of the tall balustrade that formed a support for the entrance. A copper box that contained students names, various photographs and other items of interest was placed in the stone. A class of two hundred was confirmed that same morning at St. Matthew Catholic Church; it was one of the most impressive of services of this nature in the history of the church in this area. There were talks by Rev. N.F. Vandegaer, Right Revered Cornelius Van de Ven, (Bishop of the Alexandria Diocese), and Mayor Arnold Bernstein. Reverend Vandegaer stated: We are not here today to voice opposition to the public school system of the city or parish, we are here to endeavor to cement the ties that bind us to the community, to the state, the city and parish. In 1961 the elementary grades moved to Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, where Sisters from the Daughters of the Cross continued to instruct. Later, in 1964, the high school students were transferred to the newly developed St. Frederick High School. The traditions of the Sisters of the Daughters of the Cross in the Monroe area came to an end after more than a century of building Catholic schools and educating the area children. In 1997 the Daughters of the Cross made the difficult decision to end their ministry because of ever dwindling numbers in their order. The parochial or Catholic school as a distinct institution of learning is often misunderstood. Catholics operate their parochial or religious schools because they are firmly convinced that Religion should be given a place in the education of youth. They are of many convictions. First, a child should be made to know and practice religion every day of their life. Second, the child's mind should grow in the knowledge of God and His laws just as it does in the knowledge of nature and its laws. Third, the child should know and admire the superb character of Jesus, as well as that of the great heroes of ancient and modern times. Fourth, the child should have daily contact with religion. |