Wellesley Township Heritage & Historical Society
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Picture

R.C.S.S. #11 - St. Clements

R.C.S.S. #11 is the oldest separate school in Wellesley Township. The first log school was built in 1837. It was also used for church meetings until 1840 when the log church was built.

There was some controversy in the village when plans for a separate school were announced. It was thought that the combined cost of church dues and school taxes would be too hard to bear. Despite this, a meeting was held to discuss the proposed separate school in 1855 and the school was built soon afterward. It was located on the northwest corner of the present school site. In about 1857 the public school and its records burned.

In 1865 a special meeting was held to decide on a new school site. A two-room brick school was built in about 1866. In 1876 the School Sisters of Notre Dame came to St. Clements. Because they were qualified teachers and settled somewhat permanently in the village, the quality of education improved.

As school enrollment grew, the school became too small. In 1890 a classroom was added and more desks were purchased. In 1904 a two-storey, four-room brick school was built on church property.

After this the school thrived. Woodstoves were replaced by furnaces, privies were replaced by flush toilets, electric lights were added in 1935.
(source: The Separate Schools of Wellesley Township, by Annette Oudejans)