A treasured landmark in Burgettstown for as long as most people can remember, Our Lady Of Lourdes School has been a focal point in this town because of the education it provides and the sense of community it has inspired.
Retirees, farmers and blue-collar workers in this part of Washington County have for years supported the annual August festival, the fish fries, the candy sales and the charity auctions to raise money for the school.
But in the end, it has not been enough.
The Rev. Robert Connolly, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, announced to the congregation recently that he has petitioned Bishop Donald W. Wuerl of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh for permission to close the 64-year-old Catholic school at the end of this school year.
Many were crushed by the dispiriting news.
"It's very heartbreaking to know something that you've counted on, something you took for granted, something so vital, will be gone for good," said Lynn Taucher, a former student and owner of Hayden-Taucher Funeral Home.
No formal decision has been made on closing the school, said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the diocese. He said that when the bishop acts on the petition, parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Church would be the first to know.
A dwindling pool of Catholic students and higher tuition costs has caused enrollment at the grade school to steadily decline over the years. It currently has 96 pupils and 67 were expected to enroll in the fall.
"We've done a lot of marketing and fund-raising, but it came down to money and enrollment," said Mary Margaret Gavazzi, the school principal. "Everyone is very upset. A lot of tradition goes into a Catholic school."
Founded in 1942 on the heels of the Great Depression, Our Lady of Lourdes School has surmounted many challenges throughout its history.
It was threatened with being closed in 1972 when the nuns from Sisters of Mercy who had run it pulled out because their numbers had dwindled to the point they no longer could manage the ministry. But members of the congregation were determined to keep the school open.
"Some people thought it wouldn't be a Catholic school without nuns," said Clara Lanczak, a former principal who took the job in 1972. "It was a formidable task. We became one of the first schools in the diocese to operate with a lay staff."
Ms. Lanczak said enrollment reached a peak of about 260 pupils during her tenure as principal.
"When the Sisters of Mercy left, I considered it a miracle that we survived," said Gerri Fraton, an ardent school supporter. "We're hoping for a second miracle. The school is a pillar of our community. Everyone looks up to the principal and the teachers for their dedication."
While Our Lady of Lourdes School always has been the center of parish activities, it has struggled with the increasing cost of paying the lay staff and maintaining the building as more young families have left Burgettstown in search of job opportunities.
The school has eight teachers on the staff, all of whom have worked there for at least 15 years and two with more than 30 years of service. Diocese officials would not say how much debt the school is carrying or how long it has been operating at a deficit. The church pastor, Father Connolly, did not return several telephone calls.
The church, which has about 380 families, also is shrinking, members say.
"I'm afraid because of the school closing, the church will decline more," Ms. Fratoni said.
Some staff members and school supporters feel that, although the situation appears bleak, it might be a premature move to close the school.
Rich Lounder, a former student who has run the athletic program at the school for nine years, said a retention and recruitment committee did a recent study which shows new housing developments and a future business park will trigger more growth in the area in coming years.
"Our future looks good," he said. "That's the problem. We always pick up 10 to 20 kids during the summer and before the start of school. We felt we'd have more than enough students by the beginning of next year.
"If a Catholic school is not here, people won't have a choice. That's a big selling point to the local area for growth. If we lose that choice, we may lose future residents."
First Published: May 14, 2006, 4:00 a.m.