[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1395-E1396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL IN ST. JOHN, IN, CELEBRATES ITS 
                      SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate 
St. John the Evangelist School, in Saint John, IN, on the completion of 
its recent sesquicentennial celebration.
  St. John the Evangelist School is a parochial elementary school under 
the jurisdiction of the Catholic Diocese of Gary. Upon its founding in 
1846 by the Brothers and Sisters of the Holy Cross from Notre Dame, IN, 
St. John the Evangelist was the first school opened within the town of 
Saint John. With the beginning of the Civil War, the parochial school 
was closed, and was reopened after the war as a public school. In 1903, 
the school returned to its Catholic origin and was in use

[[Page E1396]]

until the building of the present school in 1969. Due to increased 
enrollment, a second floor addition was built in 1988. St. John the 
Evangelist has a current enrollment of 351 students.
  The Saint John community began commemorating the 150th anniversary of 
St. John the Evangelist School on Friday, April 18, 1997, with an all-
day celebration, entitled ``150 Years of Quality Catholic Education.'' 
The day's events, which took place in the school gymnasium, included a 
prayer service, a giant birthday cake, and a program put together by 
the St. John the Evangelist students. The student program depicted the 
theme ``Eras of Education'' with costumed, musical presentations of 
past decades. Eighth-graders in turn-of-the century garb portrayed the 
construction of the Panama Canal, a malaria outbreak, and such 
inventions as the airplane, toaster, and Model T. Ford. Each class 
within the school researched an assigned era and similarly presented 
their interpretations. School Principal, Sister Angela Mellady, 
commented that the students learned a great deal about American 
history, as well as the heritage of their school, while planning the 
event.
  Some celebration activities which will take place throughout the 
year, include the wearing of St. John the Evangelist birthday 
celebration shirts each Friday in place of the student uniform, and an 
appreciation luncheon for local businessmen who have supported the 
school throughout the years. The anniversary celebration will close 
with a 150th birthday reunion this coming Saturday, July 12, 1997. 
Approximately 1,000 St. John the Evangelist alumni have been invited to 
the reunion, where past experiences and memories will be shared.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again extend my most heartfelt 
congratulations to St. John the Evangelist School on achieving its 
sesquicentennial anniversary. Everyone involved in the school's growth 
and success over the years should be commended, as the values and 
quality instruction provided to students have undoubtedly served as a 
cornerstone of education in the Saint John, IN community.

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