Regis High School - Chi Rho Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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I Soon after ground breaking machines began the excavating. oTh e auditorium foundation is poured and the work moves rapidly. The need was obvious. Pastors of all Catholic churches appealed to their parishioners for assistance in time, V energy and money to make the completion of the proposed building a reality. They reminded the people of the obligation to provide a complete, well-rounded high school education for every Catholic boy and girl, and they spoke ofthe curriculum required to train these students. At this time St. Patrick's parish high school became a central high school and the name was changed to Regis by His Excellency, Bishop Treacy, after the pastors of the city and the local Catholic High School Corporation voted to change the name from St. Patrick's Central to Regis. At this time Father John Paul, who had been closely connected with the school as teacher and athletic director since his arrival as assistant at St. Patrick's in 'l943, became principal of the new R ' ' made by His Excellency Bishop Treacy. g egrs. This appointment was 51

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s i xii I Ground breaking ceremony May 1952. Father J Francis Brad . y, Msgr J. Holloran, Father J. Paul, Father A. Wagener. O Surveying the ground bef ore excavation begins 0 The men who answer all the questions. M D ' r. . Devney, excavation contractor, Father J. Paul, principal of Regis, Mr. Peterson and Mr. E. Klingler. HISTORY During the pastorate of Father A.B.C.Dunne which began in 1891, great things were accomplished for God and man. Under his intelligent leadership St.' Patrick's congregation was able to erect the present large grade school in 1906. As time went on, part of this building provided facilities for two years of high school which were begun in 1914. ln 1919 the third was added. Father Dunne died in 1927 and was succeeded by Father C. E. Dowd, who had been his assistant for fifteen years. Father Dowd's pastorate was marked by the'erection of a high school building ctnd a gymnasium. The high school which became fully accredited was a modern structure and had the latest in equipment for its size. This building provided for the education not only of the children of St. Patrick's Parish but others as well. lt was intended for an enrollment of 300 and it greatly exceeded this in l t Central High School a er years. Therefore plans for a new and were formulated and presented to the Catholics of the area t ll September 29, 1931. a a the Masses on Sunday, 1 '50

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L' .vw A .liamcic HIGH Sc a , Q- X ' ' f wenai ssiissmiivifrllbi t okens f ',NLV,.As, 3 Rav' .g z ' The student body helped too in the raising of funds for the new Regis in the brick drive, auditorium chair drive and the Christmas tree sales. Preparations for the first financial drive were scheduled to begin on the feast of Christ the King, October 28, and continued until November 12. This drive under the chairmanship of Ray Fey, Sr., opened on the patronal feast, since the school is dedicated to Christ the King. The estimated cost ofthe completed building was Sl,500,- 000, this amount to be assumed by 3,000 Catholic wage earners of the community. The 18-acre tract on Fenwick Ave. where Regis is located had been donated by His Excellency Bishop Treacy. r A sketch of the proposed building was prepared by the architects, Foeller, Schoter, Berness and Stafford of Green Bay and E. F. Klingler cind associates of Eau Claire, on the site, it was attended by several thousand persons. The first spadeful of earth was turned by the Very Reverend Msgr. Thomas J. Halloran diocesan super- intendent of schools and formerly an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's. ln his address on this occasion he pointed out the sacrifices necessary to make the new school possible, and declared that the support of all Catholics in the area served by the institution was imperative. 52