SCHOOL HISTORY

Our School's History

ADDRESS: 932 Winchester Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101
PHONE: (606) 324-7040
FAX: (606) 324-6888

When the Kentucky Iron, Coal & Manufacturing Company acquired the land on which the City of Ashland was laid out, the company made an admirable gesture to the local religious congregations. It offered to give land to any organized church capable of building a suitable structure within a reasonable length of time. Six religious denominations had sufficient strength to take advantage of this offer. The Roman Catholics were one of these six congregations.

The Roman Catholics in 1860 received one lot (between Winchester and Carter, between 9th and 10th Streets) on condition that they build a church and school of brick, within three years. The rest of the lots on Holy Family Square were deeded to Holy Family in 1879 for $1,500.

The Catholic school - Holy Family - was build in 1863 and was staffed by Lay teachers. In the fall of 1877, the Sisters of St. Francis came from Rochester, Minnesota, to help staff the school. The association with the Franciscans lasted until 1948, when the Sisters of Divine Providence from Melbourne, Kentucky, came to Holy Family. They staffed the schools along with dedicated lay men and women until June 1992.

Construction in 1890 was undertaken to replace the frame school with a new brick building of classrooms, offices, a cafeteria and a gym/auditorium. This building was still in use when plans were made in 1947 to build a new school behind it. The 1890 building was razed in 1956 when eight classrooms and offices were added to the new building. The structure that now stands is the 1947 school plus the 1956 addition.

When it opened in 1863, the school educated first grade through business college students. With the opening of the kindergarten in 1983, Holy Family covered kindergarten through 12th grade. Due to decreased enrollment, the high school and the 7th and 8th grades were discontinued soon after. The preschool program opened in 1992, and the success of that endeavor led to the reinstatement of the 7th grade in 1996. The 8th grade was reinstated in 1997.

The proud history of Holy Family School attests to its place in the community. The school exists as an integral part of the Holy Family parish community. The school's mission is to prepare students to be competent, active and responsible citizens within their families, churches and communities. Through its nurturing and supportive environment, the school encourages self-discipline and responsible behavior while providing a quality education conducive to developing well-rounded, academically proficient Christian individuals.