Written for Kossuth County History
As noted in the hisotry of several of the Catholic parishes of south Kossuth County, Catholic High School education was long a part of the educational program of the County. in the 1950's, as modes and methods of education were changing, and as even personnel in the State Department of Public Instruction were predicting mergers and cosolidations of public school systems, Bishop Joseph M. Mueller, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, began merging several school systems of his Diocese into larger systems. First mergers that Bishop Mueller completed were in Sioux City, Carroll, LeMars, and Fort Dodge. As he studied the needs of Catholic education in the south half of Kossuth County, he proposed the closing of three existing Catholic High Schools (St. Cecelia, Algona; Presentation High Chool, Whittemore; St. Joseph High School, Bode) and that five parishes in the south end of the County (St. Cecelia, Algona; St. Michael's, Whittemore; St. Joseph, Bode; St. Joseph, Wesley; and St. Benedict of rural Algona) cooperate in the planning, construction, administration and maintenance of a new Catholic High School. These ideas were announced by Bishop Mueller in the summer of 1957.
In order to get the new school underway, the first school board was formed. Luke Linnan, a resident Algona attorney, presided as the chairman. Pastors on this board were of the five participating parishes: Msgr. P. P. Gearen of St. Cecelia, Algona; Father Philip J. Dailey of St. Michael's, Whittemore; Father Leo C. Schumacher of St. Joseph, Bode; Father Lawerence Klein of St. Joseph, Wesley; and Father Carl Ernest of St. Benedict, rural Algona. Two additional board members wee Herman Bode of St. Joseph Parish, Wesley, and Clarence K. Bormann of St. Joseph Parish, Bode. Bishop Mueller appointed Father Francis P. Conway to serve as Executive-Secretary of the new school corporation, and as first Superintendant of the school.
To secure funds for construcing the new school, a capital funds drive was conducted in the five parishes. An architectural firm, Loftus and Associates of Omaha, Nebraska was hired to draw up building plans. Estimated cost of the new building was set at $720,000.00. As the drive and planning work met with success, ground breaking ceremonies took place on April 28, 1958. The new school was dedicated on November 8, 1959. It was named Garrigan High School after the first Bishop of the Dioces of Sioux City, Bishop Philip J. Garrigan (1902-1919), who during his tenure as head of the Diocese demonstrated his zeal for Catholic education.
Garrigan High School is located on the northeast corner of the city of Algona.
The first faculty of Garrigan High School consisted of two priests, twelve Sisters, and four lay teachers. The Sisters were members of two religious communities from Dubuque, Iowa: The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family. Enrollment for the first school year (1959-60) included 387 students.
During the second year of its operation, Garrigan High School became a member of the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. Membership in this association has been maintained ever since, which attests to the school's constant efforts to offer a well-balanced education with high standards.
In 1965, Father Francis P. Conway was appointed pastor of St. Michaels' Parish, of Sioux City. He was succeeded by his Principal, Father Cecil H. Friedmann, currently the Superintendant of the school. Father Conway died suddenly of a heart attack in 1968. The school still bears his mark, and his memory is perpetuated at each graduation ceremony in awarding to a deserving graduate the Annual Francis P. Conway Memorial Scholarship.
With pride, Garrigan views over sixteen hundred graduates in its short sixteen year history. These graduates include fourteen who have entered religious life and priesthood, three who have graduated from the nation's military academics, many who served their nation with distinction in military and combat service, and others who have excelled in educational, business and community affairs. Also with pride, Garrigan views itself as a "non-public school serving the public interest." Garrigan looks forward to the future, its doors always open to all regardless of race, creed, or color who desire to have a sound moral and Christian impact in their education.
-A new track was constructed around the football field.
-Considerable renovation was done on the plant during the past three years costing about $270,000.00.
1994
The first faculty of Garrigan High School consisted of two priests, twelve Sisters, and four lay teachers. The Sisters were members of two religious communities from Dubuque, Iowa: Teh Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PVBM), and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family (OSF). Enrollemnt for the first school year (1959-60) was 318 students, grades 9-12.
The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary have staffed Garrigan from 1959-60 to teh present time, a total of thirty-six years. The number of Presentation Sisters on staff ranged from nine or ten from 1959 to 1972; from five to seven Sisters fro the next five years; and three Sisters from 1979-1983. Thjere were six Presentation Sisters on staff in 1984, and that number has gradually declined to two in 1994-95.
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family staffed Garrigan from 1959-60 to 1981-82 inclusive, a total of twenty-three years providing three Sisters per year. Decreasing numbers of Sisters forced their reluctant withdrawal from Garrigan in 1982.
Other religious communities of Sisters at Garrigan inlcuded the Sisters of Himility (CHM) from Ottumwa - now Davenport - from 1966-1970, and the School Sisters of St. Francis (OSF) from Milwaukee, WI, from 1970-72.
Peak enrollemnt ranging from 503 to 511 at Garrigan between 1966 and 1969 was reflected in the peak teaching staff of ten Presentation Sisters, three Franciscan Sisters, two Milwaukee Franciscan Sisters, six full or part time priests, seven lay men and three lay women.
The present 1994-95 faculty of Bishop Garrigan High School consists of four full an dpart time priests, two Presentation Sisters, fourteen lay men, and seven lay women. We have students enrolled in agriculture classes at Algona High School, auto mechanics and health-related courses at Iowa Lakes Community College, and an advanced math course through Iowa State University. Enrollment for this thirty-sixth year (1994-95) is 256, grades 9-12 -- 126 girls, 126 boys.
Through the thirty-six years the Presentation Sisters have taught in all departments and have served in the office as secretary and registrar. Currently, Sister Janet Stelken teaches in the theology department and heads the Confirmation program. Sister Janet Goetz is secretary and registrar.