CANAL FULTON ‒ Fifty years ago, students at Sts. Philip & James assembled a time capsule to be opened on the school’s 150th anniversary.
It was an act of faith that the Catholic elementary school at 532 High St. NE would still be around to celebrate in 2026.
Current students and teachers enjoyed a firsthand look at the past on May 1 with the unsealing of the capsule, a project of the late teacher Karen Williams and her eighth grade class.
It’s part of a yearlong celebration of anniversary events.
The day included a pancake breakfast and a Mass celebrated by Bishop David Bonnar, head of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, the Very Rev. John Sheridan and Rev. Travis Seagraves.
“What a blessing to be here for 150 years,” said Principal Lisa Eberhardt. “Our parents and priests, past and present, have been incredible in their support.”
Sts. Philip & James turns 150
The school opened in 1876 in a single room 14 years after the parish was established in 1862. The first class was made up of 28 students — 12 boys and 16 girls.
Jennifer Fischer, associate superintendent of diocesan schools, noted that she was a teacher at neighboring St. Mary’s School in Massillon.
“When I think of all the thousands of children, adults and priests, I am humbled,” she said. “Thank you, teachers for teaching in Catholic schools. It’s truly a mission. You are called by God to be here.”
Anniversary co-chair Breonna Cooper-Haer shared the school’s history. It includes a connection to President William McKinley, who spoke at the dedication of the school’s first building.
McKinley was such close friends with the parish’s priest, the Rev. E.J. Vattman, he sometimes stayed at the rectory. Vattman traveled to Buffalo to be at McKinley’s bedside when he was shot in 1901.
She also cited the Sisters of Notre Dame, who served as teachers for decades, and Rose Leaver, the school’s first professionally trained teacher who taught at Sts. Philip & James from 1885 to 1941.
The school, which stands on its original footprint, continued to grow, including an expansion in 1960, and a renewed commitment to stay open and grow in 1970.
“It was a symbol of our belief in what SPJ could become,” she said.
Mayor Joseph Schultz, himself a former Catholic school teacher, presented the school with a proclamation designating May 1 as “Sts. Philip & James School Day.”
Schultz described Williams as a highly skilled and accomplished professional dedicated to her craft.
“Her love for education was second only to her love of family,” he said.
Sts. Philip & James time capsule
Schultz noted that for a time, the capsule was lost. It originally was to be entombed at the Exchange Bank, which no longer exits.
“I had psychics coming to City Hall, telling me they could find it,” he said to laughter.
Schultz said the capsule eventually was found at the First Commonwealth Bank.
Two firefighters arrived to open the sealed container, which popped open with a single blow from an ax.
Its contents included newspaper clippings, a 1976 issue of Time magazine, photographs, letters, 1976 Bicentennial commemorative coins, a grocery-price list (a loaf of bread was 65 cents), and a cassette tape with the voices of the 1976 eighth grade class.
Eberhardt said plans are being made to create a new capsule.
Anniversary co-chair Jennifer Burke, a teacher at the school for 31 years and former student, lauded Sts. Philip and James families, some of whom have fourth-generation students.
“The legacy of SPJ is faith, family and friends,” she said. “There are countless moments of faith that our students experience every day. It is a legacy of faith.”
The current eight grade class donated a Canadian hemlock tree to Williams’ family.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Sts. Philip & James School time capsule yields memories of the ’70s
Reporting by Charita M. Goshay, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
