The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-23
old ST. PETERS
TAKES new LIFE
School Has Outgrown Quarters
and Must Have Big Build
ing Soon.
FOOTBALL TEAM ORGANIZED
More Than 200 Boys Now En-
rolled-Brothers Doing Fine
Work Here.

win unusually bright prospects TOT
! a successful session, the Catholic par
| ish schools of the city have now all
opened and are we'll into the work OF
| the new year. In practically every in
| stance the attendance exceeds that OF
sessions Immediately preceding and in
some cases has been sufficiently largo
to lead to important changes in
courses and to the projection Of ambi-
| tious plans for the future.
The erection of the Benedictine Col
lege marked a new development in
Catholic educational circles in Rich
| mond. and equal to II in interest Ia
what might be APPLY described tho
rejuvenation of old St. Peters, which
has blossomed forth with a roll OF over
200 and with the very evident necessity
of obtaining larger quarters within the
next twelve months. Plans have not
yet been definitely worked out. and no
authoritative statement can be secured
from the directors of the academy but
it is understood that a big building.
adapted to the present proportions OF
the institution, will be erected, replac-
Ing the old structure completely, either
upon the present site or In some suit
| able location in different section of
the city. Proba bly, the session OF 1913
will find the school in a new home.
The matter is still In it's incipiency, but
1t is receiving a good deal of consid
Grafton. though the brothers in charge
of the academy and the parish authorl-
ties are not prepared as yet to discuss
IT for publication.
More thnn zoo Boys.
st. Peters is one OF the oldest and
best known Catholic schools in the
State, and Its recovery OF a prestige
somewhat impaired in recent years by
conditions beyond It's control is highly
gratifying to the whole diocese. The
academy began Its career long ago
seeded In 1881 by the Xaverian Brothers.
In whose charge 1t has been ever since.
For considerable period II was the
leading Catholic boys school OF this
section. and drew Its patrons from air
denominations. With the growth OF
the city eastward and westward. other
parish schools sprung up. however. and
the attendance at st. Peters fell off
somewhat as a consequence Of its cen
trail location at Ninth and Marshall
Streets. Each parish began to patro-
nize Its own school, and It looked as
II the academy would have to content
itself thereafter with an enrolment OF
pupils coming almost exclusively from
Its particular part OF the city.
But under the energetic management
of Brother Charles, the present direc-
tor. assisted by his staff of teachers.
the old school this year mas not only
regained all its former prominence, but
has shot ahead OF lis own previous
records. The attendance this week
was about 22o. There are five classes.
In charge of as many brothers, and
some distinct improvements have been
made in the curriculum. The highest
grade is the academy class. which con-
tains thirty boys thus far In addition
to its regular course which includes
two full years Of Latin, the school is
now furnishing an excellent business
course.
To Have Football Team.
Within the past few days an athletic
association has been formed. and st.
Peters expects. for the first time In
many years. to have football team
on the gridiron this autumn. The team
Will necessarily be light in weight
1l5 to 100 pounds--but will be ready
to tackle anything OF It's size here
abouts Challenges Will be sent out
shortly TO number of the prep schools
around the city. Practice will probably
be held at Byrd Park. The athletic
feature OF the academy life will here
after receive a good deal of attention.
1t Will be directly in charge Of Brother
Ernest and Brother Stanislaus.
The school library has been enlarged
and will be an additional source of en-
tertainment and profit to the pupils
Literary and debating societies have
also been organized and will hold reg
ular meetings for the discussion of
timely topics. a class in calisthenics
will soon be instituted. Other plans
not yet fully worked out will be de-
veloped from time 10 time.
The Xaverian Brothers have been
unusually successful as educators The
order now has seven teachers in Rich
mond, five 1T st. Peters and two
at st. Patrick's. The majority are
young men, and all are enthusiastically
entering upon the new years work
with the determination of making 1T
the best yet. Brother Charles has been
director here for three years and has
proven himself a very capable manager
With him at st. Peters are Brother
Bernard, Brother Davis. Brother Ernest
and Brother Stanislaus. At st. Pat
rick's Brother Evangelist is in charge.
with Brother Stephen as assistant.