Archival article — originally published in The Times of Skinker DeBaliviere, April–May 2024. By Mike Stevens and Linda Cross.
Archival date note: only the issue month or season is established. The first-of-month date used for chronological indexing is not a verified publication day.
As recently announced, the Archdiocese of St. Louis has decided to close St. Roch School. The Catholic grade school has been operational in the neighborhood for over 100 years, and multiple generations of Skinker-DeBaliviere neighbors have attended the school. The decision was primarily driven by low enrollment numbers for next year, which dipped to eighty-one students. No one is faulting any parent who decided to transfer or not re-enroll. The negative impact created by the Archdiocese's decision to close the Parish last May, despite our valid appeal, was ultimately too much to overcome.
Per a lease agreement with the Archdiocese, the St. Roch Parish will be allowed to keep any proceeds from the sale or lease of the buildings on the two parcels of land that contain the school and church. The parish council is studying the most effective use of the school buildings and how to maximize value to benefit the Parish. It is important to remember that the school decision does not impact the Parish. The closure appeal is alive and active at the Vatican. The Parish has continuing obligations and expenses and needs continuing support. If you haven't attended Mass lately or walked by the church at mass time, you are in for a treat. Our mass attendance has skyrocketed since Father Frank Reale took over and electrified the congregation. Come join us.
Read the original newspaper issue: Archive reader · Direct PDF fallback. Originally published in The Times of Skinker DeBaliviere, April–May 2024, pages 1.
