(L-R) Carol Bryden, Trustee; Todd Lozon, Supervisor – Communications and Community Relations; John Van Heck, Chair of the Board; Deb Majer, Archivist, Diocese of London; and Deb Crawford, Director of Education.

A unique bit of local history is being preserved in a new book.

Officials from the St Clair Catholic District School Board teamed up with the Diocese of London to compile a history of Catholic education in Kent and Lambton Counties.

Former Director of Education Dan Parr worked together with Diocese of London Archivist Deb Majer and Father Greg Blonde on the tome.

Using archival records from the Diocese, the book covers the formation of local school boards and the influence of local religious communities.

“Under Deb Majer’s leadership, research material that was scattered and held in various archives was carefully and meticulously located and documented,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education.  “Now, thanks to this record, the history of the Catholic school system in Kent and Lambton Counties, including the formation of local school boards and the tremendous influence by religious communities, is preserved for future generations.  What a tremendous resource!”

Copies are now being sent to every English Catholic school in the district to add to their library collections, as well as public libraries and parishes in Chatham-Kent and Lambton County.