It’s a big week for the newest elementary school in Chatham-Kent.
St Angela Merici Catholic School is now officially finished construction and the property has been turned over to the St Clair Catholic District School Board.
Over the next few weeks, staff will be moving furniture, equipment and supplies into the building and custodial staff will give the new school a thorough top to bottom cleaning.
The school will also now be home to a special statue of St Angela Merici, sculpted 50 years ago by Father Anthony Lauck.
“We are so honoured to receive this beautiful statue of St. Angela Merici by the Ursuline Sisters, who brought the gift of Catholic education to Chatham more than a century-and-a-half ago,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education.
The statue was sculpted in South Bend, Indiana in 1970 by Father Lauck, who also designed the windows in the Pines Chapel. Father Lauck was an accomplished artist in drawing, glass, sculpture and wood carving. His statue depicts St. Angela with a young friend, as an illustration of her dedication to improve the lives of women and youth.