Holy Redeemer school marks 50th anniversary

Marshall - On April 12, 1949, in the Morningside Addition by Whitney Street, the Revered R.A. Neudecker plunged a shovel into the ground, turning over the earth. On July 3, 1949, the cornerstone for the new building was laid. A year later, Holy Redeemer school was born.

And now, a half a century later, students, administration, faculty, and parishioners of Holy Redeemer are celebrating that milestone.

Catholic education has been a part of Marshall for 100 years, with the founding of St. Joseph’s Academy in 1900. Enrollment started booming in the 1920s and 1930s, and grew to such an extent that every inch of available space was made into classrooms and other classrooms were set in church parlors.

When Father Neudecker was appointed to Holy Redeemer church, he was given the instruction to "proceed immediately with the construction of the new school building." But the project had to be put off because of World War II.

Holy Redeemer and Central Catholic High opened its doors on September 4, 1950, with 550 students in grades 1-9. With each year, a high school grade was added until 1953, when the entire senior high program was available.

Courtesy of the Marshall Independent.