ST. PETER THE APOSTLE SCHOOL

Although River Edge can boast of a history dating to pre-Revolutionary times, it remained a sparsely settled farming community until the 1940’s.Then a building trickle that began at the start of the decade grew to a roaring flood by the end of the 40’s. As returning Veterans from World War II sought a quieter place out of the city to raise their growing families, the population had to travel to Hackensack, Oradell and other surrounding towns to take care of their religious affairs. Most inconvenient of all was the problem of sending children out of town to attend Catholic School in Hackensack or Oradell.

The time had come for River Edge to have its own parish and school. In June, 1948, the new parish of Saint Peter the Apostle was incorporated and Mass began to be celebrated at Roosevelt School in River Edge. Msgr. Eugene S. Burke was named administrator. Ground was broken for church, school, convent and rectory on June 27, 1950. Progress was slow because of shortages and delays of all kinds. Msgr. Burke died in September, 1951, and never saw the completion of his project.

In June, 1952, Fr. Daniel J. Collins was chosen administrator and later officially named pastor. Each day all summer, he arrived, with lunch box in hand, to settle problems, answer questions and generally speed up production. Fr. Collins made a trip to Morristown to secure the services of the Religious Teachers Filippini in time for a September opening of our school.

Saint Peter the Apostle School opened on September 8, 1952, with Sr. Angelina Del Corso as principal. The school consisted of grades 1 to 6. Within a few years, grades 7 and 8 and Kindergarten were added. In 1961, the school celebrated the graduation of the first class to attend Saint Peter’s all the way from Kindergarten through Grade 8.

In addition to the regular classrooms, our school boasted a cafeteria and a magnificent gym. As the school grew, so did the services it offered. A Mother’s Guild was formed, which acted as a fund raising and service group. In conjunction with the school, a series of special events was run which served to weld the church and school into a tight social, educational, and spiritual family.

Our Mother’ Guild is now known as Saint Peter the Apostle Home-School Association, but it continues to aid the school with fund raising events, service projects, hot lunches for the children, and most important, continues to support the school in every way.

The school has seen many changes through the years. We now have one section of each class Pre K 3 through Grade 8. The school added a library in 1970, and recently a computer room, youth meeting room, a music and art room, as well as an all purpose meeting room and a C.C.D. office.

The Religious Teachers Filippini have served us through the years under the leadership of eight principals: Sr. Angelina Del Corso, 1952-1958; Sr. Lillian Perini, 1958-1960; Sr. Helene Mekis, 1960-1966; Sr. Gloria Doria, 1966-1970; Sr.Claire Ouimet, 1970-1975; Sr. Virginia Della Penta, 1975-1981; Sr. Patricia Dunham, 1981-1985; and Sr. Barbara Takacs, 1985 to present.

At the dedication ceremony of our school on October 4, 1952,Representative William Widnall reminded the Sisters of their responsibility in the teaching of the young "…for they are the molders of the good character and the strength of the future." We have tried to teach with that thought in mind.

HISTORY OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL

Our Lady Queen of Peace School formally opened on September 10,1951, under the direction of the Religious Teachers Filippini. At the opening of school, 565 pupils were enrolled from kindergarten through eighth grade. Seven sisters staffed the school and Sr. Angelina Pepe was the first principal, a position she held for over a decade (1951-1962). Her successors were Sr. Clare Testa (1962-1966), Sr. Mary DeAngelis (1969-1975), Sr. Esther Del Duca (1975-1976), Sr. Rose Schimizzi (1976-1979), Sr. Gloria Doria (1979-1985), Sr. Clare Testa (1985-1986), Sr. Marie Gagliano (1986-1988) and Sr. Louise Del Carpine (1988-1992). We were very fortunate to have these principals and sisters, who contributed to the educational excellence of Our Lady Queen of Peace School. Because many Catholic families moved into Maywood, the school enjoyed a wonderful period of growth. The peak in enrollment occurred in 1956 when 950 children crowded the classroom. Ninety students graduated. Two reunions for all graduates of the school have been held, the latest in 1985, which brought together again not only the graduates, but most of the sisters who taught at the school.

Father Thomas F. Burke served as pastor until he retired and became Pastor Emeritus. He died on July 17, 1983 and his dedication to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church and School will be long remembered. Rev. Thomas Walsh succeeded Father Burke as pastor, a position he held until 1988. Father Donald McLaughlin was appointed Administrator after Father Walsh, and became Pastor a year later.

CO-SPONSORSHIP

September 1991

The concept of co-sponsorship is a sharing of human resources based on a joint financial commitment by two or more parishes to enhance the quality of Catholic elementary education in our area that comprises those parishes.

The co-sponsorship of St. Peter Academy is provided by both St. Peter the Apostle Parish in River Edge and Queen of Peace Parish in Maywood.

The transition to co-sponsorship has strengthened commitment to Catholic education in the River Edge/Maywood area.

It has been enthusiastically supported by the leadership of both parishes along with the administration of the Academy. The cooperation of the parents and students of both schools made this vision become a reality.