[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL IN MASCOUTAH, 
                                ILLINOIS

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating Holy Childhood School, in Mascoutah, 
Illinois, on the occasion of their 150th Anniversary.
  Holy Childhood School was founded in 1859, with students first taught 
in a house owned by a local doctor. The local landscape was much 
different then. Mascoutah had just been incorporated about 20 years 
earlier, initially as the Town of Mechanicsburgh. Scott Field, which 
would evolve into Scott Air Force Base and provide many students for 
Holy Childhood School, would not be built until 60 years later.
  The first school structure was a two room school house built in 1864, 
at a cost of $2,361.00. The Ursuline Sisters arrived from Louisville, 
Kentucky, in 1872 and were the first religious order to teach at the 
school. They would be succeeded in 1888 by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus 
Christ. Also in 1888, a second story was added to the school house.
  As the area, parish and school continued to grow, further additions 
were required. The 1960s saw considerable expansion as four additional 
classrooms, a library, a cafeteria with seating for over 400, and a 
gymnasium with a stage and seating for 800 were added.
  Holy Childhood School has seen many changes throughout its 150 year 
history but it has always remained true to its core values of providing 
the highest quality of education while rooted in the teachings of the 
Catholic faith. Several generations of Holy Childhood graduates have 
stayed in town, raised families of their own and continued the growth 
of the community, parish and school. While other graduates may have 
moved to locations near or far, all have cherished their memories at 
Holy Childhood and been thankful for the sound educational foundation 
they received.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Holy 
Childhood Parish and the administration, faculty, staff and students of 
Holy Childhood School as they celebrate their 150th Anniversary.

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