Eden
Eden Township, Marshall County, South Dakota, USA
Sacred Heart School
from "Marshall County"
by the Marshall County Historical Society
©1979
pages 112 - 113
Father William Eckl, pastor, obtained three School Sisters of
Notre Dame for Sacred Heart School in 1920. They arrived with
their Provincial Mother on August 25 of that year. Sister M.
Honorine, Sister M. Alphonsetta and Sister M. Veronica were the
pioneers.
The opening day of school was September 13, 1920 with an
enrollment of 43 pupils. On month later 75 children were
answering the daily roll call. By January of the school year
97 students were present each day for classes. Twenty-two music
students were instructed the first year. A very serious small
pox epidemic lasting for two months broke out during the late
winter of 1921.
On October 18, 1923 Bishop Mahoney administered the Sacrament of
Confirmation for the first time within 19 years in the congregation:
176 people recieved the Sacrament.
October 31, 1931 was a sad day for the Sisters and loyal students
of Sacred Heart School. The school and convent could not be kept
in operation due to the lack of funds. The buildings were sold at
public auction but rented to the parish for the remainder of the
year. July 27, 1932 marked the last day for the Sisters at Eden.
The Reverend Myron Martin reopened the school again on September
5, 1947. The enrollment was 72. Sister Mary Blase taught primary
grades. Sister Luella taught music and third and fourth grades.
Sister Marietta was in charge of the upper grades. Sister M.
Wladimir was housekeeper.
In August, 1953, erection of a new school was begun.
All through the years the students have carried away many prizes.
"Keep South Dakota Green" Health Poster Contest and Spelling
contests have been entered quite regularly through the years.
Our students have also participated in the essay contests
sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
From the opening year until 1927, the enrollment was always 100
or slightly over. After that it generally hovered between 80
and 100.
Sacred Heart was the only Catholic School in Marshall County, a
credit to the self-sacrificing people of the community.
E-mail: dwagner2@isd.net
©2002 DJW
Last Modified:
October 12, 2002