Corpus Christi School (Ottawa)

Corpus Christi School
Address
157 Fourth Avenue Ottawa , Ontario , K1S 2L5
Information
Founded	1926
School board	Ottawa Catholic School Board
Principal	Michael Schreider
Grades	JK-6
Language	English/French
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Website	http://cch.ocsb.ca/
List of Ottawa schools

Corpus Christi School is located in Ottawa, in the Canadian province of Ontario, founded in 1926. It is a Catholic elementary school publicly funded under the Ontario school system. The current principal is Monica C. Kerwin, who replaced the retiring former principal, Bonnie McLaurin. The school's district consist of Centretown, The Glebe and Old Ottawa South.

History

Corpus Christi Catholic School's predecessor is St. Matthew, which was founded in 1900 as a two-room school on the site at Fourth Avenue and Lyon Street, which served the four lower grades. The St. Matthew building remained part of Corpus Christi School until it was eventually razed in 1967.

From 1913-1926, the school rented a two-room annex at the corner of Bank Street and First Avenue to accommodate all 186 students. From 1913- 1920, classes were taught by members of the Grey Sisters and by lay teachers. In 1916, with an enrolment at St. Matthew of 259 students, a sixth classroom was constructed. From 1920-26, the Sisters of St. Mary, and lay teachers taught the students.

In 1926, H.J. Morin was the architect for a new $47,600 school containing eight classrooms named Corpus Christi Catholic School.

Some time after the parish was established in 1913, an annual procession on the feast of Corpus Christi concluded with Benediction being held on the grounds of St. Matthew School. Since the new school constructed commenced soon after the feast day, the school was named “Corpus Christi”.

From 1930 through to the 1970s, the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and lay teachers taught the students at Corpus Christi School. Two assistant priests from Blessed Sacrament Parish taght Bible history and Catechism. In the 1930s, an annual Christmas concert was founded. A motion picture machine was purchased in 1935. 20 volumes of books were donated to the school library in 1936. In 1936 an electrical Victrola was purchased for the school. In 1936, French-language instruction began at the school. In 1937, Grade 9 was introduced at the school, and a rotary class system began. In 1938, shop and home economics equipment were installed. The Home Economics class consisted of a dining area, sewing area and combined kitchenette and laundry. A radio was purchased for the school. In 1941, a school rink was constructed in the boys’ play yard.

Following World War II, a six-room addition was designed by architect R. Thibault. In 1967, the St. Matthew School building was torn down. E. J. Cuhaci was the architect for the new north wing and gymnasium of the school. In 1977, Corpus Christi Catholic School held its 50th anniversary celebration. John Tappin worked with the students to sculpt fibreglass totem panels which were mounted on the new light panels, in the main hall of the school.

In 1988, Corpus Christi Catholic School replaced windows, doors and the heating system. In 1991, a community recycling depot was installed in the parking lot as an Earth Day initiative at the school. In 1994, new play structures were built in the schoolyard thanks. In 2000, a shared play structure was built with neighbouring Mutchmor Public School.

The School Colours are Green and grey or white. The Corpus Christi School logo features a cup of wine and loaves of bread representing the body and blood of Christ, which are superimposed over a stylized crucifix.

Principals

• Sister St. Teresita (1930-33)
• Sister Frances Morris (19??-53)
• Sister Mary Stanton (1953-5?)
• Sister Mary Patricia (195?-65)
• Sister Mary Stanton (1965-??)
• Sister Theresa Kelly (19??-74)
• Doreen Brady (1974-78)
• James McStravick (197?-81)
• John Knoble (1981-86)
• Anthony Charbonneau (19??-9?)
• John Shaughnessy (199?-95)
• Lucille Pummer (1996-99)
• Jim Rogers (1999-2003)
• Bonnie McLaurin (2003-2006)
• Michael Schreider

External links

• Official School Website with details of the school.
• Parent Council Website
• The Corpus Christi Profile also has details of the school as well as history and statistics
• 150 years of Catholic Education in Ottawa-Carleton 1856-2006, Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board, 2006