Holy Name School History

Our beloved Catholic school was completed and dedicated on September 5, 1914.

The Sheridan Press gave the following account “the beautiful new Catholic school building on East Works (actually the school is on Connor Street) is to be dedicated this morning with the most impressive ceremonies. The event will have its inception in the morning at eight o’clock at Holy Name Church on East Loucks Street where services will be held.” This beautiful building was built at a cost of $18,000.

Father John Duffy, who was the pastor at this time, requested sisters from the Sisters of Charity who lived at the Mother House in Leavenworth, Kansas. Three of the nuns rode the train from Kansas City; and after enduring the August heat arrived in Sheridan. As one of the sisters recalled, “we opened in September, 1914, before the school was finished. The stairways were just boards lain across to make steps, but we opened at the appointed time.” There were four rooms used for classrooms of the eight grades and the fifth was used an apartment for the sisters. Everything stayed status quo throughout World War I, the Depression, and World War II for Holy Name Catholic School.

Shortly after World War II, there was concern for the Holy Name athletes because they really had nowhere to practice, having to use other schools. Basketball had started at the school in 1950 and as the team had no uniforms, several women of the parish made uniforms for 12 athletes. Now that is dedication!

So plans were brought forth to consider building a gymnasium, cafeteria, additional classrooms, kitchen, library, and two meeting rooms. A building fund campaign was started in June, 1949, with a goal of $125,000. $136,000 was actually pledged for the new building. However, construction was delayed when problems arose over poor sub-soil and a basement wasn’t possible. When the lowest bid of $200,000 far exceeded the cost estimate, plans were revised. Things were eliminated to be added at a later date. The new building, including the gymnasium/auditorium, a stage and cafeteria were dedicated in 1952. PTA was organized in 1951, taking over the responsibility for the hot lunch program. Alumni still remark about the delicious cinnamon rolls and they are still served today.

As quoted, in the “New Era” during the late 40’s and 50’s, every classroom had a nun for a teacher. Quotes describing these wonderful sisters are fantastic. “We had dear little Sister Marie, who was ancient but a fantastic teacher. She battled us through our time tables and spelling words, and gave us a real appreciation of music with such good old songs like, ‘She’s a Grand Old Flag’ that she pounded out for us on the piano. There was Sister Helen Joseph, who “struck fear in the hearts of us all and discipline was no problem for the teachers.” There was Sister Mary Boniface who “brought a much sweeter yet still firm Irish discipline to our school.” At one time in the sixth grade, there were 26 boys and 11 girls. You could always hear the nuns coming down the hall with the full rosary swinging from the waist.

Our athletes made the headlines in 1956 with the boys basketball team winning the 3rd annual All State Parochial Tournament. These boys came from behind an 8 point lead at half time to score 20 points in the second half while holding the Indians to 10 points.

The busy years from 1955-1964 demonstrated changes that has influenced our parish and school to this day.

With the onset of the 60’s, there were several improvements to the school through the auspices of the PTA. These included the installation of glare proof glass in the classrooms, sound proofing the new school, and new lighting. A new well, watering system, acoustical tiles were also added as were new books for the library.

With the shortage of priests and nuns, more lay teachers were hired during the 70’s.

In 1983, the first kindergarten was started in the older building with 24 children enrolled. Prior to the establishment of our kindergarten program, all Holy Name children attended through the public school system. Also, in this year, Holy Name Catholic School had its first school board. A Constitution was adopted, the School Facility Use Policy was revised, as well as work on the school budget and school policy.

Technology was creating big changes in the school system. These programs were instituted and continue be updated on a regular basis. Three computers were purchased. The school district purchased one for our school and the Home & School Association donated one for the administration and one for computer classes. The “computer age” had arrived.

It is now 2022, and Holy Name Catholic School is celebrating 108 years of “spiritual growth, achievement of academic excellence, developing gifts and talents, model the values, attitudes, and behaviors that foster a life committed to Christian service.”

Holy Name Catholic School was awarded and listed in the “National Register of Historic Places” in 2013. This is a wonderful honor and there are plaques on the outside of the buildings showing this achievement.

And, as they say, “the rest is history.” Throughout these one hundred years, the quality of education has always been with a degree of excellence. Holy Name Catholic School has always had the highest qualified certified teachers for the state of Wyoming. The support teams, including staff and parents, have always been of the highest caliber. We are a definite asset to the Sheridan community and to the Holy Name Parish.

We are so very proud of our school and encourage anyone to visit us at any time.