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

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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

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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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enuine satisfaction of lite ! we ,fs N Il g comes only from the generous shouldering of responsibilities ll and the dedicationof our abil- ities to the service of God and T , ' I -7, Vyyk .1 is-115, K His Church. 1. I Bricklayers in the early stages of construction on the auditorium unit. .. 0 Construction resembling a metrolpolitan city. Generations to come will be provided with a Christian education at the school ancl moulded into good citizens. Catholics here, he stated, are following in the steps of the pioneer settlers ot this country, who also realized the value ot education and made great sacrifices to provide schools for their children. Construction is Begun on the New Regis High School-Bullclozers, Giant Shovels and 'cats' are going 'Full speed ahead' , with these words the Daily Telegram heralded on Sept. 24, 1952, the actual beginning of the building. The work was begun immediately after the letting of the contracts for construction, heating, plumbing and ventilating. The Peterson Construction Co. of Minneapolis was low bidder on the- general contract while many Eau Claire tirms took part in the construction. These were listed as Phoenix Steel, lnc., structural, W. H. Hobbs Supply Co., finish hardware, Charlson Mfg. Co., millwork, Lee Building Specialties, acoustical material, G 8. R Terrazzo, tile and terrazzo, S. A. Anderson, roofing, Hovland Sheet Metal, sheet metal work, Grosvold Co., ' ' e Heating, ventilation. 53 plumbing a nd heating and Hom