Sisters of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary stand by the cornerstone of the current Lourdes Catholic School in Bettendorf in this 1952 photo.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
BETTENDORF — Catholic education near downtown Bettendorf began more than 100 years ago in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. This fall, Catholic education in the growing city moves to the new St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in northeast Bettendorf. A Last Night at Lourdes celebration on June 3 from 5-8 p.m. will honor the legacy of Lourdes Catholic School with school tours, music, food and activities. The school year concludes the following day.
The original Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School started in 1919 in the Siebengartner home. Sisters of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary taught 67 students that first year and enrollment doubled the following year, said School Secretary Katherine Wermes.
In 1952, work began on the current school building. Lourdes Memorial School, completed in 1953, housed 330 students. Rapid growth required an addition of four classrooms to the east side of the school, completed in 1955. In 1956, parish Masses moved to the school basement until the existing church was built. The school basement now houses the media center. A new parish center built in 1984 doubled as a lunchroom and gymnasium for the school, renamed Lourdes Catholic School in 1991. Four classrooms were added from 1997-98 and a fine arts area in 1999.
Alumni have been stopping by the school periodically for the past several years to look at the building. “We have had lots of people talking about memories,” Wermes said. One couple, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, stopped by a couple of years ago. They were married in what is now the school’s library space. “It was very fun to see the pictures in their album and hear them talk about walking down the steps to the church,” Wermes said. “The light fixture that is on that stairwell is the same as it was then.”
“We’ve also had people visit from as far away as Arizona …to get some pictures in some spots that were memorable for them,” she said. So many people “have memories attached to this place — both as a church and as school.”
School supporters thought it was important to bring people together to say goodbye and celebrate the memories made there, Wermes said, adding, “We look forward to growing our Catholic school family at St. Joan of Arc.”
Former principals, teachers, alumni, parishioners and supporters are invited. “We really want to make this a fun night of memories,” she said. “This last week we had a vendor come in to bring us our SCRIP gift cards from his business and he started reminiscing about being here as a teacher and athletic director years ago. We were able to invite him as well. He has sponsored our SCRIP program for years with his business, but we never realized he had taught here. It’s been very surprising at times to hear how people are connected and about the ways our school has impacted people in the community.”
Lourdes memorabilia is for sale at (https://stores.inksoft.com/forever_lourdes/shop/home).
Guests should register ahead for pizza served at the farewell event. Although there is no cost for the pizza, please visit https://tinyurl.com/ypbc47ty and click on “buy tickets.” Food trucks will be on site.
Meanwhile, desks and other school items will be moved this summer in preparation for the new school’s opening. Miranda Lawrence, who serves as Lourdes’ building coordinator and handles technology, said completion of St. Joan of Arc is moving forward at a good pace. “The majority of the exterior building is complete, including the recent addition of two crosses on the peaks of the chapel and the school entryway.” Inside, much of the painting and flooring are complete or nearing completion. A wood floor in the gym recently has been installed and is being sealed and painted.
