Story by Kevin Harrison
Photos by Kathy Cannon, Janice LaPalm Horgan, Casey & Judith Papp
May 14, 2016
Photos by Kathy Cannon, Janice LaPalm Horgan, Casey & Judith Papp
May 14, 2016
Of interest to the group was the hopeful discovery of a time capsule, which had supposedly been encased inside the cornerstone of the building.
The initial search would turn up without luck in spite of the best efforts. After the gathering, it was mentioned the time capsule could still be in one of two places on the property, although details were not available at the time this page was originally posted.
The initial search would turn up without luck in spite of the best efforts. After the gathering, it was mentioned the time capsule could still be in one of two places on the property, although details were not available at the time this page was originally posted.
Aquinas: Its founding and history
Aquinas High School was a joint venture between two primary area churches: Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Lincoln Park, and St. Pius X Church in Southgate. A third church, St. Aloysius in Romulus, also had a small part in the school's formation.
The idea had been discussed as early as 1962, and the Northline Road frontage was purchased by 1964 at an estimated cost of $120,000. The initial construction dates were delayed and, by the time the first freshman class began their studies in 1966, the building was not ready for occupancy. These first classes were held in St. Pius' Social Hall. By midterm of that school year, these students were able to utilize at least part of the building. The first full-fledged graduating class received their diplomas in June, 1970.
Aquinas would be the third parochial high school in the area, after St. Frances Cabrini (Allen Park) and Mt. Carmel (Wyandotte).
The idea had been discussed as early as 1962, and the Northline Road frontage was purchased by 1964 at an estimated cost of $120,000. The initial construction dates were delayed and, by the time the first freshman class began their studies in 1966, the building was not ready for occupancy. These first classes were held in St. Pius' Social Hall. By midterm of that school year, these students were able to utilize at least part of the building. The first full-fledged graduating class received their diplomas in June, 1970.
Aquinas would be the third parochial high school in the area, after St. Frances Cabrini (Allen Park) and Mt. Carmel (Wyandotte).
During its early days, Aquinas was probably just as well known for their extra-curricular activites involving area concerts. Many events in the early 1970s featured a young Bob Seger, plus Frijid Pink, Amboy Dukes, and the MC5 routinely highlighting entertainment. Many of these bands were likely provided to Aquinas via agent Jerry Patlow, who also had key connections with WKNR radio, a.k.a. "Keener 13." The concerts would fade from active rotation by 1980, but the memories alumni have of them are numerous.
Aquinas students also made great strides in their sports programs. They were three-time winners of state baseball championships. From the early 1980s to early 1990s, their wrestling program was state-of-the-art, producing stars such as the Garcia brothers and Dohanyos brothers, among others. Most well-known, however, was their powerhouse boys varsity basketball team, perennial contenders for well over two decades in their divisions, led mostly by Head Coach Ernie Price. Through the 1980s as well, Aquinas carried a first-rate music program led by beloved teacher/instructor, James Kline.
When I attended Aquinas from 1985 to 1989, enrollment was holding at about 800 students. Tuition had begun to grow, however, and some programs (many of them in the music department) were phased out. In the next few years, total student numbers began to take a free-fall as tuition rates soared, while more students were electing to attend the other three parochial high schools: Cabrini, Gabriel Richard or Mt. Carmel.
Aquinas students also made great strides in their sports programs. They were three-time winners of state baseball championships. From the early 1980s to early 1990s, their wrestling program was state-of-the-art, producing stars such as the Garcia brothers and Dohanyos brothers, among others. Most well-known, however, was their powerhouse boys varsity basketball team, perennial contenders for well over two decades in their divisions, led mostly by Head Coach Ernie Price. Through the 1980s as well, Aquinas carried a first-rate music program led by beloved teacher/instructor, James Kline.
When I attended Aquinas from 1985 to 1989, enrollment was holding at about 800 students. Tuition had begun to grow, however, and some programs (many of them in the music department) were phased out. In the next few years, total student numbers began to take a free-fall as tuition rates soared, while more students were electing to attend the other three parochial high schools: Cabrini, Gabriel Richard or Mt. Carmel.
As early as the early 1990s, there were rumors about Aquinas' impending closure. At a mid-1990s Homecoming game at the former Schaefer High School field, the public address announcer effectively crushed those rumors, stating in part: "No matter what you hear, Aquinas High School is not closing."
By the end of the decade, the numbers were going against Aquinas' future survival and, in spite of many parents and boosters doing what they could to keep the doors open, the 2000 graduating class would be the last to see an Aquinas diploma while attending the Southgate institution on graduation night. Enrollment had plunged school-wide to under 100 between the four grades. The Junior class in particular was very emotional and downright angry that the class would need to be split up among the other three schools. |
Cabrini in Allen Park would end up inheriting most of the remaining students and staff. To Cabrini's enormous credit, they allowed this class to receive Aquinas diplomas while the other students received Cabrini diplomas. They also allowed an Aquinas tradition - the Academic Olympics (began in the late 1980s) - to continue for many years afterward.
The Aquinas facility would initially not stay vacant for long. By the mid-2000s, it housed a Downriver satellite campus of Livonia-based Madonna University, in addition to new offices for The Guidance Center, and a daycare similar to a Montessori school. By 2013, however, all three institutions would move on, leaving the building vacant to this day.
The Aquinas facility would initially not stay vacant for long. By the mid-2000s, it housed a Downriver satellite campus of Livonia-based Madonna University, in addition to new offices for The Guidance Center, and a daycare similar to a Montessori school. By 2013, however, all three institutions would move on, leaving the building vacant to this day.