History

St. Agnes Parish was established by Bishop James Ryan on October 1, 1888.  It was the fifth Catholic parish in Springfield, at that time, a city of some 33,000 people. The new parish was to serve the area south of Carpenter St. and west of the main line of the Chicago and Alton Railroad and contained 180 families.
The cornerstone of the first church was blessed August 25, 1889 almost exactly 100 years before the blessing of the cornerstone of the present church, held on August 27, 1989.  The first Mass in the original church was celebrated by Father James Howard on May 4, 1890. Father Howard served as pastor for some 42 years, until his death on June 16, 1930.  By that time, the parish had grown to 400 families.

The first school was built and began in September, 1897 in a framed building of the former Seventh Day Adventist Day Church located on the corner of Spring and Monroe Streets.  There were also two rooms at 311 W. Capitol for the first and second grades.  The remaining grades were in the two story house at Spring and Monroe where the Odd Fellows Building once stood.  The school was staffed by three Springfield Dominican Sisters. Five boys and one girl made up the first Graduation class in 1902.  A new school was completed in 1913 on the corner of Capitol and Pasfield at a cost of $54,000.00.  This building served the parish until the present school building opened in the fall of 1981.

Under the leadership of Monsignor Patrick Wright the formal move to the present site at 251 N. Amos Avenue was accomplished in November, 1981. The move began on the nights of November 5th and 6th and was completed by Saturday, November 7th. Classes began on Thursday, November 12th, 1981. Four additional classrooms were added in 1988.   During the summer of 2006 reconstruction within the building allowed for additional classrooms: an Art Room, Speech and Language Room and a preschool program.

The relationship between the Dominican sisters and St. Agnes Parish and School has continued to the present day.  However, between 1996 and 2003-2004, the school was under the leadership of a lay principal.  In the fall of 2004 the Dominicans resumed the leadership for the next 14 years.  In the spring of 2018 a lay principal was selected to head the school.

In the Fall of 2006 the St. Agnes School celebrated “25 Years on Amos Avenue.” Celebrations and Open Houses were held for parish and school families.  A pictorial history was displayed documenting Graduates, activities and events of the past twenty-five years.  Alumni and former staff returned for an All-School Liturgy and a program in the gym.

The Summer of 2008, a new Science Lab was constructed within an existing 7th grade classroom.  The Science Lab allows for a hands-on learning environment.  The new lab’s capabilities enhance the study of Science at St. Agnes.

During the summer of 2009, fiber optics wiring was extended throughout the entire school.  The Computer Lab –“Project Smart Lab” – was updated with OptiPlex 960 Dell computers, a SMARTboard and hand held senteos that allow for student responses with the SMARTBoard.  Four new computers were added to the Library as part of new automation of the Library.

“Tech Connect” was the goal for the summer of 2010.  Sixty-two (three per classroom) Optiplex 960 Dell computers replaced the outdated classroom computers.  A $40,000 grant from Susan Cook House and special project money for the 2010 Auction enabled the purchase and installation of twenty SMARTBoards.  Training was conducted with staff to initiate the use of the Rediker/Edline Communications package.  Teachers use this program for attendance and communicating to parents weekly grades and daily assignments.

The 2010-2011 St. Agnes Annual Fund “Renew for a New Year” focused on curriculum enhancement and physical facility improvements.  The wooden playground was replaced with a playground named “PeaceBuilders” Place.  The six principles of the PeaceBuilder Program were to be displayed on placards around the “Playworld” equipment.  A $5,000 grant was secured for this project from the Susan Cook House Foundation and Annual Fund.  New Jr. High desks and chairs were placed in three classrooms and paid for through the Auction proceeds.  Science Kits were purchased for Grades K-6 with the assistance of the Auction and Parents’ Club.  A new website for the Parish and School was launched in December.

 “Strengthening Foundation for our Future” was the theme of the 2011-2012 Annual Fund Drive.  The success of this drive, the Parish/School Auction and a generous donor provided for the upgrade of the school security system, enhancement of the air conditioning system and the purchase of up-to-date Social Studies and reference materials. 

Phase 2 of the “PeaceBuilder Place” playground was completed in the summer and fall months of 2012.  A memorial brick walkway was constructed around the playground equipment area.  Landscaping, benches and an archway, created by Selvaggio Steel, with the name: “PEACEBUILDER PLACE” and the six principles of the PeaceBuilder Program was constructed.  A framed copy of the school’s Mission Statement with the Spirit logo was hung at four of the school entranceways.  The State & Diocesan Accreditation visit was hosted in March.  St. Agnes School’s Principal, Sr. Joan Sorge, O.P., received the NCEA Distinguished Principal Award in April at the NCEA Convention.

The theme for the 2012-2013 school year was “All Are Welcome.”  St. Agnes welcomed 44 St. Joseph students since their school had closed at the end of the last school year.  Representative St. Joseph parents served on the St. Agnes School Board and the Parents’ Club.  Representative students were a part of the Student Council.  In November, Sr. Joan Sorge, O.P., St. Agnes School Principal, went to Washington, DC to receive the National Distinguished Principal Award.  The PeaceBuilder playground was dedicated and blessed after the installment of the first set of Memorial bricks on December 2012.

During the summer of 2013, profits from the Auction and the Annual Fund allowed for the replacement of “fogged” windows throughout the building and the painting of the gym.  An envelope for tuition assistance was added with the Parish envelopes to provide additional support for families who want their children to receive a Catholic education.  Over $20,000 is contributed each year to tuition assistance.

St. Agnes participated in January and February of 2013 with the other Catholic Elementary Schools in a new Strategic Plan for the Springfield Area Catholic Elementary Schools.

The theme for the 2013-1014 school year was “125 Years of Faith.”  In November, our Parish celebrated with a special 125th anniversary Mass and reception.  Ten new computers were installed in the Computer Lab and the 10 from the lab rotated into classrooms.  The Fund-a-Project from the Auction allowed for the purchase of 30 new tablets for classroom use.  A $6,773 grant from the Susan Cook House Foundation and support from the Parents’ Club funded new Math textbooks for grades 6-8.  The Annual Fund provided funds for the new McGraw Hill Reading program for grades K-5.

The theme for the 2014-2015 Annual Fund was “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”  Many supported our St. Agnes school activities and strengthened our community with their gifts and talents.  The Long-Range Planning Committee revised the Crisis Management Plan and planned for the security updates that were completed during the summer of 2015.

This project included the installation of new locks on all outside doors, a monitored computer system with the use of key fobs for staff and coaches entering the building, new cameras at the front doors and on the north side of the building and an automatic latch release for the gym doors to be used by the Late Day staff.  These updates were possible with funds from the Auction, the Annual Fund, donations and a grant of $20,000 from the Susan Cook House Foundation. 

Through the Annual Fund and Technology fee, 10 new computers were added to the Lab, 2 new servers installed and 4 new administrative computers.
“Reflect God’s Goodness: Stand Together for Justice” was the theme for the 2015-2016 school year.  At the end of this school year, Les Pope, who had been head of maintenance for 27 years retired.  A tree was planted in his honor near the tennis courts.  Two grants were received.  One from the Susan Cook House Foundation for $8,000 toward the new Quaver Music Program.  The second grant was from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln for $7,000 for the new sixth grade literature books.

Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, sixth grade was added to the 7th and 8th grade Department of classes.  Two new programs were purchased for the curriculum: the Walk-A-Bout program for grades PreK-2ndgrade and the Mathletics program for K-8th grades.  These programs were funded by the Annual Fund and a grant from the Susan Cook House Foundation.  The theme for the school year was taken from Pope Francis…”Joy Springs from a Grateful Heart.”  Enrollment began at 335 students and ended with 325 due to family moves.  St. Agnes Parish and School celebrated the 50th Jubilee of Sr. Joan Sorge, O.P., Principal, and Sr. Martha Marie Kirbach, O.P., first grade aide, both Dominican Sisters. The eighth grade class trip was an overnight at Lake Williamson in Carlinville.  Solar panels were added to the school roof which was funded by two grants received for this project.

The theme for the 2017 - 2018 school year was taken from St. Mother Teresa “We Can Do Small Things With Great Love”.  At the beginning of the school year a new P.A. system was installed in the school.  The school underwent and achieved State and Diocesan accreditation, which is valid for a five year period.  A fire started in the cafeteria in early April, which caused smoke and water damage to the gymnasium.  Painting of a wall and ceiling in the gym and refinishing of the gym floor was done and completed in the early summer of 2018.  The musical “Annie Jr.” was performed in early May by students in grades 5 - 8.  A parish-wide celebration was held for Sr. Joan as she completed her role as principal and moved on to the position of Director of the Dominican Associate Program for the Dominican Sisters.

The 2018-2019 school year began with a new principal at the helm.  Rachel Cunningham, a lay principal, began her tenure on July 1, 2018.  The theme for the school year was “I Am a Child of God, I Make a Difference”.  The year began well as St. Agnes School received a $22,000 grant from the Susan Cook House Foundation to purchase a new junior high Science curriculum.  In October the school took part in the Catholic Charities food drive competition.  This competition included all of the elementary Catholic schools in the city of Springfield.  St. Agnes School was the winner bringing in the most items.  A program was begun to take a grade level over to the Dominican Mother House monthly to celebrate Mass with the Sisters and eat lunch with them.  In January the annual School/Church Auction was held in the school gym to kick-off Catholic Schools Week.  Over $40,000 was raised.  The Alumni of the Year, Sandy Roberts, was honored at the Catholic Schools Week Mass.  During the month of March, 7th grader Joey Ruzic became the IESA Class 1A 90 lb. State Wrestling Champion.  Our Magic Match sponsors and Leadership Donors were celebrated in April with a “Sponsor and Leadership Appreciation Evening”.  The recipients of the Children’s Award were Mary Ann Zak (posthumously) and Jim Mosher.  St. Agnes School viewed the talents of many students during the Talent Show that took place in May.  The Class of 2019 graduated thirty-seven eighth grade students.  After fifteen years at the helm of St. Agnes Parish, Fr. Bob Jallas ended his tenure on June 30, 2019.

“Honor God:  Be Faithful in Little Things” was the theme of the 2019-2020 school year.  The year began with a new pastor at the helm of St. Agnes Parish.  Fr. Dan Bergbower began his tenure on July 1, 2019.  St. Agnes School was awarded a $12,000 grant from the Susan Cook House Foundation for the purchase of a new K - 5 Science curriculum.  The Boys’ 5 - 8 grade Baseball team took Third Place at the IESA Class 1A State Baseball Tournament.  St. Agnes Girls Cross Country runners came in 17th in the State tournament. The 7th grade Girls’ Basketball team, comprised of a co-op of St. Agnes, St. Aloysius and Calvary Academy, took 3rd place in the IESA Class 2A Basketball tournament in December.  Grades 3 & 4 performed in the annual Christmas program along with the Singing Aces.  Several students in grades 6 - 8 painted masterpieces along to the music in what was called “Art Meets Music”.  Catholic Schools Week festivities began with the annual School/Church Auction, which was held in the gym.  Over $30,000 was raised.  Sr. Angelene Biederbost was named Alumni of the Year and was honored at the Catholic Schools Week Mass.  Also during the month of January nine 8th grade students traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in the annual March for Life.  The third quarter of school was completed on Friday, March 13 - a day that changed the remaining course of the school year.  Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a state mandate that all schools, public and private, must close due to the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic.  Beginning on Tuesday, March 17 students completed the fourth quarter of school remotely with teachers conducting e-Learning.  All activities and sports scheduled for the final months of school had to be cancelled.  The school year ended on Friday, May 22.  Those students in third and eighth grade who were to be confirmed during the month of March were confirmed over two weekends in June.  The 8th grade class graduated 30 students on July 1, 2020.