History

In 1963, the land around North Greece Road had a very different look. Farm fields spread out behind single homes that lined the street. The rectory was located on the west side of North Greece Road, across the street from the building that was to become the first school. This one story wood building would undergo several transformations in the years to follow. After several years as the school, it would become the school gym, then the Early Education Building and it is now known as just the Education Building.

Sister Jean Baptiste and Mary Carol Dennee became the first teachers at St.Lawrence School. In 1963, Sister’s first grade class had 27 boys and 20 girls. Ms. Dennee’s second grade had 15 boys and 24 girls. It became apparent to all that a bigger school building was needed.

After several years of planning, dedication and fundraising, the new red brick St. Lawrence School building became a reality. The present school was built through donations from the whole parish under the guidance of the pastor, Rev. John A. Murphy. Students moved into the new classrooms, first through fifth grades, in September of 1965. The Kindergarten room was added on in 1980. In 1988 the former Parish Center, present Gym, was built. In 2007 we reorganized classrooms to make room for our first preschool classes.

Hundreds of students and families have since become a part of the unique spirit and community that characterizes St. Lawrence School.

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (d. 258)

St. Lawrence was a Roman deacon under Pope St. Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death, Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. The church, built over the tomb of St. Lawrence, became one of the seven principal churches in Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrimages.

A well known legend has persisted from earliest times. The emperor believed that the early church had great wealth because they were able to give money to the poor. He did not know that St. Lawrence was able to help the poor by selling even the sacred vessels. When he was told by the emperor to bring in the wealth of the church to help finance his army, St. Lawrence brought in the blind, the poor, and the lame. He told the emperor, “ These are the treasure of the Church.”

The emperor was so angry he decided to put St. Lawrence to death by placing him on a gridiron with hot coals beneath it. The legend concludes that the martyr suffered for a long time and then made his cheerful remark, “It is well done. Turn it over and eat it!”