Saint John the Baptist Elementary School, Pittston

Saint John the Baptist Elementary School was located on William street in the City of Pittston in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was named after the neighboring church (which was first opened in 1892 by Slovak immigrants). It's pastors were Rev. Andrej Kazincy, Rev. Matthew Jankola, Rev. Andrej Pavco, Rev. John J. Bednarcik (who served from 1929-1961), Rev. Michael J. Krupar (who served until his death on Christmas Day in 1964), Monsignor Joseph Super (who served until 1998), Rev. Andrew Strish (who served until 2005), and finally John Bendick (who led the church until it closed in 2008). [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qVjWyBNOqw]

SCHOOL HISTORY

Under the leadership of Reverend Andrej Pavco and Reverend Andrew Jurica ground was purchased for a school next to their church. Construction on the building stated in 1917. By 1924 the newly built Roman Catholic elementary school saw its first graduating class, which only contained nine kids at the time. Over the decades the school has seen many taechers, graduating classes, administrators, and priests like Reverends Pavco, Bednarcik, Krupar, Super, and Strish. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qVjWyBNOqw]

On March 27, 2004, Bishop Joseph Martino announced that Saint John the Baptist School and Saint Mary's School in Avoca will close for good. After a long fight, which even went legal, the doors closed for good on Friday, June 4, 2004. [http://www.leavenocatholicstudentbehind.com/judge_memorandum_opinion.html] The last reverend for the elementary school was Andrew Strish. He administered the last school mass for the nearly 200 students and faculty. "Ninety-five years of Catholic education ends today at Saint John the Baptist," stated the last Principal of the school, Robert Kaluzavich during the ceremony. He concluded his speech with the last two words: "SJB Proud".

Four years later, in late June 2008, the diocese closed the doors of the Church too. [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19814951]

SCHOOL COLORS

Red and White

References

1. ^You Tube. "Saint John the Baptist Church". 08 July 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qVjWyBNOqw

2. ^"Tears From Heaven Fall". 08 July 2008. http://www.leavenocatholicstudentbehind.com/worksheet.html

3. ^"Leave No Catholic Student Behind.com". 13 July 2008. http://www.leavenocatholicstudentbehind.com/judge_memorandum_opinion.html

4. ^Kristen Gaydos. "Last Mass celebrated at church in Pittston". Times Tribune. 08 Jul. 2008. http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19814951