CHAPTER 4

Schools

This picture is the earliest one we have of Formosa. It shows the log church, the first rectory, the stone school built in 1868 (replacing a log school constructed in 1854), the two and a half storey school and convent built in 1872 and the one storey school south of the large school.

At one time all three schools were used: the stone school for boys Grades 5 to 8, with men teachers; the large convent school for girls, Grades 1 to 8, taught by Notre Dame nuns as well as the one storey school for boys Grades 1 to 4.

As enrollment decreased, the smaller boys were moved into the con­vent school. Eventually, all boys and girls Grades 1 to 8 attended the large four-room school, which had a large addition serving as living quarters for the nuns.

As soon as settlement started the need for a school was recognized and a log building was erected on the north west corner of farm lot num­ber thirty, Concession A, Carrick Township. The name of this school was 'Union School, Section Number 1, Carrick and Culross and was ad­ministered by the Common School Act, Canada. The log school was con­structed in the year 1854. The Jesuit missionaries from Guelph, on their occasional visits through the bush and wilderness several times a year, would use this building to offer Mass and administer the Sacraments to the fast growing community. This small school in just a few years became inadequate and F.X. Messner, who had already started his business em­pire at Formosa in the late 1850's, donated the land for a larger and more permanent school. A field stone structure, thirty feet by sixty feet with fif­teen foot ceilings was built. The head stone with the Date 1868, and the swinging bell now rest on the cairn in front of our present school as a reminder of those early times.

By the year 1872 Formosa had the layout of a thriving village. The parish grew very rapidly covering some five to six miles in each direction. Country schools had been started at Eniskilien (Greenock), Elora Road and Ambelside. Mr. Messner, who was a very charitable and deeply religious leader, was well established in the business sector. He had a vision of Formosa becoming the headquarters for the Sisters of Notre Dame. This order of nuns, in the previous year, 1871, came to St. Agatha and opened an orphanage as well as teaching in the school. Mr. Messner and Anthony, his brother and business partner donated some twenty acres of land, together with a two and one half storey, forty feet by sixty feet limestone Convent, to the Sisters in the hope that they would take in novices, train and educate them at Formosa and that soon this would become the Canadian Mother House for the Notre Dame Order.

While this dream seemed to have a great deal of potential for some unknown reason it never became a reality. The building (girls academy, as it was often referred to) after a number of years was converted into a four-room, eight-grade school wherein girls in grades one to eight were taught. Younger boys up to grade four received their early education in a one storey school south of the Convent school. Boys in grade five and up were transferred to the Stone common school, under the supervision and teaching of men teachers. An addition or wing with living quarters for five or six nuns was added to the large two storey school.

By the turn of the century, due to migration to Western Canada, Michigan and North Dakota, our school population had begun to lessen. Men teachers became fewer, thus, the older boys schools were discon­tinued and these pupils integrated into the classes taught by the nuns, to an enrolment of some one hundred and fifty students. Young men, six­teen and seventeen years of age, often attended for a few months in win­tertime and caused considerable discipline problems.

For the next fifty years the Notre Dame Order was able to supply religious teachers for our schools most of the time but on a few oc­casions for short intervals, lay teachers were employed. This convent school served well and, with minor alterations was considered a fine educational facility.

 

On Thursday, July 8, 1926, on a hot windy afternoon, an outbreak of fire occurred at the J.J. Waechter residence at the foot of the hill, sending fire brands of burning shingles skyward and over the adjacent building roofs. No one comprehended that the burning embers would reach our school building. By the time a small fire was noticed on the wood shingle roof, the strong westerly wind fanned it into a burning inferno. Mildmay brigade had been summoned but, with the lapse of time and no ready available water supply, the total building was gutted in short order. A small amount of school contents was saved; however, the sisters' valuables were a total loss.

The school board and the parish immediately set about having a meeting, making plans for a new school as well as a nearby detached convent. The dwelling of Ferdinand Lehman, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Kroeplin, was purchased and converted into temporary living quarters for the sisters. This house served well until the fall of 1927, when they moved into the new convent, which they still occupy today.

In less than three weeks after the fire, on July 31, staking out and breaking ground took place about two hundred feet north of the former site. Joseph Kraemer, a seventy-four-year-old local carpenter, drew up the plans for the new two storey, double brick, thirty-five feet by sixty-five feet, four roomed school building. Frank Heisz was engaged as supervisor of construction and, under his able direction, the building, while not com­pletely finished, was ready for classroom occupancy on January 4, 1927. The front entrance and indoor plumbing were completed the following spring.

For three years in a row Formosa Separate School pupils won the Gold Medal, an award for the highest standing in the departmental entrance examinations. Formosa pupils wrote their examination at Mildmay. The award-winning pupils were Isabel Oberle 1925, Clarence Beingessner 1926 and Florence Strauss 1927

During the absence of a permanent school the September 1926 fall term opened with Ernewein's hall being utilized as a place of learning for grades one to four. The former 1868 stone school again served classes five to ten. Facilities in both of these temporary classrooms left much to be desired for both pupils and teachers but the eagerness of looking for­ward to occupying a brand-new modern school made the inconveniences for a few months all the more tolerable.

The new and present convent was completed during 1927 and oc­cupied by the Sisters on November 12. The new school accommodating up to one hundred and fifty pupils served the students and teachers with pride and distinction for the next forty years.

Manual training for boys in the form of carpentry was later taught in a basement room while the senior girls were schooled in household science, that being cooking and sewing, in an extra room on the second floor. No great changes in our educational system took place in the 1930's and 40's, however, with the depression and war years in the past, a trend for major changes seemed at hand.

Rural dwellers were demanding the same educational standards for their children as was enjoyed by city and town residents. Graduation from school had changed from grades eight to twelve or thirteen. Compulsory attendance age had been moved from fourteen to sixteen years. Daily school bussing to high schools had begun. Teachers, inspectors and all connected with education urged larger school administration, thus the death knell rang for the small one-room school.

 

By 1953 Walkerton District High School took in an area bounded by Paisley, Teeswater, Elmwood and Clifford. Sacred Heart High School at Walkerton had also extended its curriculum to provide High School education to include grade twelve. In the following decade, the separate school system area schools on parochial lines were set up as a counter part to the Township School area Board with centralized grade schools.

In September 1966 the number of Grade 1 and 2 pupils in Room 1, Formosa Separate School, was so large that an extra classroom was needed. A room in the building now known as "Formosa Country Estates" was rented, furnished with blackboards and desks, and used as a classroom for Grade 2.

In early 1967 a central school was formed combining Formosa, Greenock, Elora Road, and Ambleside separate schools. These three "Country schools" were part of Formosa parish. The Pastor of Formosa or his assistant regularly visited these schools to assist the teachers in Religious Instruction. Pupils from these schools attended Formosa school for at least a week in the spring to receive special Religious Instruction and received their First Communion, along with Formosa pupils, in the Formosa church.

A decision was made to build a new school directly behind the site of the old school.

While building was going on, Grades 1. 4, 7 and 8 occupied rooms in the old school, Grade 2 was bussed to Stone School, Carrick. 1-1/4 miles east of Ambleside, and Grades 3, 5 and 6 were at the Ambleside school.

In September, 1968, even though some work such as decorating, wash-rooms etc. were incomplete, the new school was opened with almost 300 pupils in attendance, including kindergarten to Grade 8 and a Special Opportunity class. Ten classrooms were in use and there was a staff of ten teachers. Sister Agneta was Principal. The Official Opening of the school was held on April 20, 1969.

In September 1969 the enrollment was so large that a portable classroom was added for one year.

Formosa Immaculate Conception School now has an enrollment of 180. including a pre-kindergarten class and a class for exceptional students. There is a staff of 10 teachers Formosa Immaculate Conception School now has an enrollment of 180. including a pre-kindergarten class and a class for exceptional students. There is a staff of 10 teachers

.

                                     

           The stone school built in 1868.1n later years it was used as a parish hall.                                                   The Notre Dame School and Convent built in 1872.

                        

       Formosa Separate School built in 1926, after fire de­stroyed the large school and convent.              The central school at Formosa, combining Formosa, Ambleside, Elora Road

                                                                                                                                                                     and Greenock Separate schools, first occupied in September, 1968.

 

 

Formosa Immaculate Conception School now (1980) has an enrollment of 180. including a pre-kindergarten class and a class for exceptional students. There is a staff of 10 teachers.

 

The cairn in front of the new school. The bell and headstone are from the old stone school.

 

Class I. 1903 Formosa

Front Row: Andrew Opperman, Hugo Olheiser, Albin Hergott, Norman Beninger, Herbert Meyer, Alex Schnurr

Second row: William Farher, Leander Kuhry, Michael Fischer, Norman Durrer, Anthony Albright, Ira Hesch,Joseph Burger

Third row: Nora Bildstein, Edward Steffler, John Weiss, William Anstedt, Harry Fedy, William Kloepfler, George Meyer, George Obermeyer, Zeno Goetz, Mathilda Schwartz.

Fourth row: Eleanora Kraemer, Margaret Flachs, Margaret Brick, Theresa Steffler, Bertha Weber, Ludwina Weishar, Sybilla Winter, Emma Kraemer, Lavina Oehring, Eva Weiler

Rear row: Gladys Oberle, Irene Kuntz, Blanche Durrer, Sophia Fornwald, Anna Brick, Margaret Zimmer, Eva Weiss, Margaret Bauman, Rosetta Zimmer.

 

Formosa Separate School 1903 III Class

Rear row from left: Rose Opperman, Lenore Scanlan, Theresa Rich, Isabel Waechter, Anastasia Fornwold, Sarah Keip, Abbie Hesch, Johanna Schumacher, Raphine Schmuck, Nora Beninger, Helen Weishar.

2nd from rear: Rose Bildstein, --, Martine Gehl, Rachael Steffler, Annie Hauck, Lizzie Graf, Minnie Massel, Veronica Bette, — Bauman, Willie Weiss, Tena Goetz, Louisa Massel.

3rd from rear: Frank Massel, Henry Hehn, Francis Waechter, Philip Weiler, Charles Weiss, Seraphin Meyer, Albert Kraemer, Mike Anstedt, Lavina Michael, Lizzie Kuhry, Rosina Schnitzler

Front row: Eugene Beingessner, Cyril Beingessner, — Fornwold, John Oehring, — Fischer, — Kraemer, — Fornwold, Herb Oehring, Emma Wilhelm, Annie Flachs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1903 class Photo - Elora Rd. School Section S.S. I, Carrick

Front row: Clemens Waechter, Harry Schill, Edward M. Schill, Serphine Schmidt, John Rumig, Tony Zimmer, Clayton Schill, Joseph Schill, Serphine Benninger, Harry Benninger, Serphine Schnurr.

Second row: Englebert Rumig, Aurilla Schmidt, Georgina Schnurr, Susan Schmidt, Josephine Hoffarth, Anne Hoffarth, Loretta Kramer, Anne Schmidt, Barbara Kunkel, Ludwin Kunkel, Cecilia Zimmer, Cecilia Benninger, Pauline Schnurr, Sarah Fischer.

Third row: Edward Schmidt, Ed. Schnurr, Lambert Schill, John Kramer, Peter Euper, Simon Euper, Rossetta Kramer, Tillie Rumig, Rose Krietz, Lidia Detzler, Minnie Schmidt.

Back Row: Rosetta Benninger, Laura Kunkel, Alex Schmidt, Frank Rumig, Leo Zimmer, Abbie Detzler, Lucy Kunkel, Mike Kloepfer, Ed. Nelson, Miss Nellie Cronin, Teacher, Absent - Jake and Alex Fischer.

 

 

Boy's Class 1904. B.Beingessner, Teacher Stone School

Rear-Edward Waechter, Pet. Olheiser, Alb. Kuntz, Alf. Bildstein, Wm. Rettinger, Fr. Hoch, Val. Weiler, P. Kraemer, Al. Goetz. Benno Schwartz, Isadore Gfroerer.

2nd•Wm. Vogt, Jos. Olheiser, 0. Beingessner, Jn. Kastner, John Fedy, Albin Hauck, Wm. Kloepfer, M. Kempel, Irvin Hundt, Alex Masse!.

1st-And. Rettinger, Phil. Burger, Jos. Kieffer, Alt. Zimmer, B. Flachs, Ed. Hergott, Dominic Fischer, Ambrose Bildstein.

 

 

School Concert, Christmas, 1907, in Old Stone Hall

Front Row: Fred Kraemer, Nellie Schell, Rose Bildstein, Ambrose Bildstein, Philip Weiler. Leander Beninger

Second row: Tena Goetz, Madeline Heisz, Alphonse Zimmer, Arsenius Zettel, Amelia Weiss

Third row: Leo Schumacher, Lydia Kraemer, John Fedy, Helen Weishar, Benno Schwartz, Caroline Schnurr, Albert Kraemer, Edward Waechter. Appolonia Fedy, Joseph Kieffer

Rear row: Annie Gfroerer, John Kastner, Irvin Hundt, Albin Schumacher, Charlotte Zimmer, Andrew Rettinger, Alfred Goetz, Celia Kraemer, Frank Freiburger, Lizzie Weiler

 

 

Grades 1 and 2, Room I, Formosa, 1946

Front row: Robert Fischer, Alfred Brick, Donald GoII, Robert Meyer, Albin Brick, James Rettinger, Ronald Seigfried, Oliver Rich

Second row: Audrey Schmidt, Annette Kuntz, Mary Lou Schill, Marlene Meyer. Bertha Kuntz, Blanche Kroeplin, Marlene Poechman, Doreen Brick, Janet Heisz.

Third row: Doreen Weishar, Lorraine Weber, Shirley Cassidy, Rose Randall. Anna Weber, Mary Francis Lehman, Joan Heisz, Edward Kuntz. Harry Obermeyer.

Rear row: Kenneth Voisin, Gerald Gall, Albert Weber, Gerard Flachs, Michael Weiss, Patrick Strauss, Harold Ernewein.

 

 

Grades 1 and 2, Room I, Formosa, 1947

Front row: Robert Meyer, Darryl Benninger, Ronald Benninger, Allan Schnurr, Elroy Kuntz.

Second row: Elaine Kuntz, Genevieve Cassidy, Carolyn Hundt, Betty Weishar, Margaret Kieffer, Bertha Kuntz

Third Row: Rose Marie Weiler, Audrey Schmidt, Mary Lou Schill, Doreen Weishar, Mary Ann Weber, Marlene Meyer.

Fourth row: Doreen Brick, Rose Randall, Shirley Cassidy, Marlene Poechman, Blanche Kroeplin, Annette Kuntz.

Fifth row: Donald Goll, Oliver Rich, Harold Weiss, Robert Meyer, Renny Weiler, Albin Brick.

Rear row: Barry Heisz, Donald Kuntz, Patrick Strauss, Kenneth Voisin, Michael Weiss, Robert Fischer.

 

 

Immaculate Conception, Formosa Grades 5 and 6, 1957.58

Front row: Helen Waechter, Florence Waechter, Laverne Heisz, Lucy Kuntz, David Weishar, Bob Kuntz, Edward Masse!, Michael Weber, Joe Brick, Harold Zettel, Ron Hundt, Philip Brick.

Second row: Juanita Weber, Agnes Brick, Kathy Heisz, Connie Litt, George Rich, Gerald Mclntee, Lloyd Kuntz, Larry Schill, Bob Zettel, Joe Ditner, Lloyd McIntee.

Rear row: Karen Kastner, Paula Heisz, Sheila Zuber, Helen Strauss, Jack Poechman, Joe Strauss, John Weiss, Leon Zettel, John Brick, Barry Benninger, Allan Lambertus, Ken Kroeplin

 

 

Immaculate Conception School, Formosa Grades 7 and 8, 1957 — teacher, Sr. M. Louise

Front row: Eric Weiler, Harold Kuntz, Francis Kieffer, Allan Welsher, Carol Kuntz, Geraldine Waechter, June Yates

Second row: Gary Weiler, Ralph Kroeplin, Gary Zuber, Gerald Kuntz, Frank Voisin, Marie Weiss, Theresa Weber, Martina Voisin

Third row: Carl Kroeplin, Lloyd Weber, Arthur Weiler, Claire Schill, Robert Mclntee, Maurice Heisz, Betty Ann Lehman, Arlene Yates, Shirley Benninger, Clara Strauss.

 

 

 

Grade 8 Graduation, 1968

First graduating class after Central school was formed

Front row: Brenda Gutscher, Joyce Grubb, Connie Kuntz, Linda Benninger, Linda Voisin, Mary Schmidt, Donna Schlosser, Barbara Rich, Linda Hauck, Joy Schill

Rear row: Mrs. Hill, Joe Schill, Doug Pettiplace, Terry Borho, Jim Batte, Jim Brick, Donald Benninger, David Opperman, Glen Zuber, Alfred Waechter, Jerry Grubb, Sr. M. Agneta (Principal)

 

Back to Table of Contents

Forward to Chapter 5