The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1901-09-06
ST. KATHARINE'S SCHOOL.

with appropriate exercises. The
patronage this session promises to
be the largest in it's history, many
pupils having already been enrolled
not only from home but from near
/ ly every state in the South, and
others are expected.
/ st. Katharine's is an institution
Of which Bolivar is deservedly
proud, and a short history of the
school will not be out of place in
this connection.
Prior to and Immediately after
the civil war, Bolivar was account
ed as one of the impregnable strong.
holds of the Church, and it's work
and influence were not merely Of a
local character, but extended far
beyond the confines OF Tennessee.
During this period of prosperity
and religious activity, the people
enjoyed for twenty-one years the
earnest and devoted minlstrations
of Rev. DR.. w. G. Gray (now Mis-
sionary Bishop of Southern Florida)
who, as their Rector, labored tire
lessly for the upbuilding of ST.
James Parish, and TO him more
than to any other earthly agency is
the Church indebted for the noble
work begun and faithfully carried
on. lie early conceived the idea of
establishing Church School for
Girls and his wish found modest re-
aliZation when day school was
opened in February, 1872, i'll cot
tage owned by DIR. Gray, situated
in the northeastern portion of the
town. 1t was called St. James
Church School for Girls, and Miss
Mary McAnally was its first princi
pal, her efforts being warmly Sec
onded by the Rector. The organ
IL alton Of the School, its methods
and lofty purposes. at once appeal
ed to the people of Bolivar and the
enterprise received from the first
the hearty cooperation of its pat
rons and the loyal support and en-
couragement of the Church.
The School rapidly outgrew it's
birthplace, and found its cottage
home somewhat cramped and mad
equate for its work.
Accordingly, in the fall of 1872,
Miss McAnally removed to the old
Fentress home, located in the ex
treme southern part of Bolivar,
which was purchased by individual
subscriptions for the purpose of
erecting Church School for Girls,
and was incorporated as a part of
st. James Parish. The present
building was begun as soon as prac-
ticable and was ready for occupancy
the following year, when the School
reopened with glowing prospects,
bearing the name OF St. James
Hall.
Miss McAnally was associated
with the School as principal from
1872 to 1874. Her successors and
the length of time they served fol-
low: Rev. John G. Mulholland,
from 1874 20 1877; Rev. w. G.
Gray, from 1877 to 1880; Rev. j.
n. Lee, from 1880 to 1888; Miss
Helen Totten, from 1883 to 1889;
Miss s. M. Levin, from 1889 to
1891; Miss e. E! Mason, from 1891
to 1892; Miss Mamie Warder, from
1892 to 1898; Miss Sarah Holt,
from 1893 to 1894; Mrs. S. B.
Ware. from 1894 to the present
time.
In 1894 the name of the School
was changed from st. James Hall
to st. Katharine's School.
In the fall of 1898, Webster Hall,
an annex, was erected, through the
generosity of Mr.. and Mrs. G. B.
w ebster, of New York, with suf-
ficient capacity to accommodate
about sixty pupils.
The buildings are of brick, adj
vantageously located, with beauti-
full scenery surrounding, and the
interior is we'll finished and comfor-
tably furnished.
Mrs. Ware, the present principal,
is a teacher of nearly thirty-four
years. experience and is known
throughout the South and West as
most successful educator and a
woman of rare executive ability.
Her thorough knowledge OF the
teaching art, combined with her
admirable personal qualities, make
her pre-eminently fitted for the pc
sition she holds.