SPRINGFIELD — Citing long-term financial sustainability challenges, St. Patrick Catholic School in Springfield will close at the end of the academic year.
A letter signed by school board president Erik Woehrmann and principal Bridget Timoney confirmed the closing following “prayerful discernment, professional consultation and financial evaluation.”
The school operated as a not-for-profit corporation.
Founded in 1910, the school at 1800 S. Grand Ave. East had 52 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
“This decision was made with heavy hearts,” Woehrmann said. “St. Pat’s has been more than a school – it has been a family. We are profoundly grateful for the students, families, teachers, and benefactors who have lived and supported our mission for so many years.”
It operated for years as a parish school. St. Patrick Church and Sacred Heart Church are part of St. Katharine Drexel Parish.
The board of directors is independent but Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki retained “certain reserve powers over (the school),” according to St. Patrick’s website.
Paprocki said he was “saddened” by the announcement.
The most recent Springfield Catholic grade school to close was Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which shuttered in 2018.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Catholic elementary school closing at end of academic year
Reporting by Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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