By: Janet Kenney
St. Paul Catholic Church is expanding its ministries to offer quality Christian education for children ages 4-6 by opening St. Paul Catholic School this August. The school will begin with PreK-4 and kindergarten classes, gradually offering higher grade levels.
Many in the Athens community may only be familiar with St. Paul from the huge yard sale the church’s women’s group holds on the first Saturday in October. However, the “red brick” building on Highway 72 just south of Lucas Ferry Road has been there since 1992 and the Catholic community much longer.
Early in the 20th century, Athens’ Catholics, composed of members of 18 families, worshipped in a small chapel at the corner of Coleman and Brown’s Ferry. This was closed in the late 1920s forcing Catholics to travel by ferry to St. Ann’s in Decatur. In the late 1940s, the S. Clinton St. home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hatchett became a worship space on Saturday mornings with an altar set up in the dining room. After Mass, breakfast was served. This tradition of feeding spirit and body continues today through social ministries including an active and vital Hispanic Ministry, prison ministry, and participating in LCCI food ministry.
A mission church was constructed in 1959 on an acre of land on Highway 72 sold by the Charles W. Spencer family. This is now the current chapel, the small building next to the church. In early 1970, the actual St. Paul’s parish was established under Pastor Timothy J. Hill. As the congregation grew from the original 18 families, various pastors began building programs culminating in the dedication of the current church in 1992. Architect Edward Arnold combined elements old and new in the church design, and since its dedication, each subsequent pastor has added to the church with items such as the Stations of the Cross, stained-glass windows, and beautiful pictures and statues.
So, why is the church starting a school now? On August 26, 2012, the final piece of the St. Paul campus, the education building was dedicated. This red brick building faces the chapel. It has two stories and 13 classrooms. These classrooms are primarily occupied when religious education classes are held. Such classes serve upwards of 200 students annually. With the Limestone County population expanding, as well as the congregation of St. Paul’s Church, it seemed an opportune time to also expand the Church’s educational ministry as well.
A pilot program was conducted during the 2023-2024 school year serving three preschool students. Now, a full day PreK-4 class and kindergarten will be available. St. Paul Catholic School will follow the Athens City school schedule with school opening on August 7. Kindergarten students will benefit from the 40 years of experience of teacher Mrs. Patsy Kobs, who is excited to be back in a kindergarten classroom. “I absolutely love kindergarten students. We will be starting classes by reading the Creation Story. Each student will create an art booklet with one page for each day. Each page will use a different art technique.” PreK-4 students will enjoy the enthusiasm and humor of Mrs. Christie Smith. Mrs. Smith and her husband, Matthew, who is former military and works at Redstone Arsenal, have two girls ages 4 and 8. She received her degree from St. Petersburg College in Florida. Mrs. Smith’s excitement in starting a brand-new class in a brand-new school can be seen in the classroom she’s developed. “My students will enjoy the colors and different learning spaces as well as a variety of activities to keep them learning but also having fun. For young students, associating learning with fun is essential.”
The new school will serve not just Catholic families but also families looking for a whole-child, Christian education in a small setting. “Our goal is to educate the whole child — academically, spiritually, and socially,” director Dana Wolfe declares. The maximum class size will be 12. Seats are still available. Small classes and dedicated regular teachers will be supplemented by reading specialist Dr. Sue Whitcomb, who was the teacher for the pilot program. Dr. Whitcomb has years of experience and multiple degrees in teaching reading but also will offer other enrichment activities.
There will be an open house and blessing of the classrooms on Sunday, August 11, at 1:00PM. All are invited. Inquiries concerning the school may be directed to dana.wolfe@stpaulcatholic.school. 251-978-6759
By: Janet Kenney
September 6, 2024
