Timeline of St. Rose of Lima School's distinguished history
June 6, 2025 at 11:39 a.m.
RELATED STORY: St. Rose of Lima School marks 150 years as beacon of Catholic education
Following is a timeline noting significant milestones in the history of St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
1850-1871 – Father John Scollard and priests of St. Paul Church, Princeton, begin ministering to Freehold Catholics in a small frame church built on land purchased on the corner of McLean and Randolph Streets.
Jan. 9, 1871 – Bishop of Newark appoints Father Frederick Kivelitz as the first pastor of St. Rose Parish; he travels 20 miles a day by carriage or on horseback for his ministry.
1875 – A one-story school building is purchased and moved to Randolph Street, opening with 60 children and one teacher – the first parochial school in Monmouth County. A second floor was added the next year to serve as a convent.
1878 – Sisters of St. Francis begin teaching in St. Rose of Lima School; their ministry continues today. St. Francis Sisters also act as principals until 2019.
1907 – Enrollment outgrows school building. St. Rose of Lima Church purchases property on McLean Street. The school building with assembly hall on the first floor is built for $26,000. Average attendance at the time is 125 students.
April 15, 1926 – the Parent Teacher Association is formed with 43 members, serving First Friday Breakfast, running Bingo, sponsoring dinners, musicals, minstrels, merchandise clubs and bazaars. Funds are used primarily for the school library and visual aids.
1935 – Enrollment has increased to 240 students taught by six Sisters of St. Francis.
1950 – Title acquired for the former Military School on the corner of South Street and Lincoln Place and the ball field on the south side of Lincoln Place.
Nov. 15, 1956 – Father John A. Kucker presides at ceremonies in the church opening the fundraising campaign to build the two-story, 13-classroom parish school on Lincoln Place; additional classrooms open each year to accommodate growing enrollment.
Dec. 23, 1957 – Bishop George W. Ahr presides at dedication ceremonies.
1964 – Decision is made to add 12 classrooms, a gymnasium-auditorium and a library facility; after the new wing opens, faculty has grown to 18 and student enrollment to 905.
2019 – Cynthia Reimer becomes first lay principal of St. Rose of Lima School.
2024 – Kathy Leonetti becomes second lay principal of St. Rose of Lima School.
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RELATED STORY: St. Rose of Lima School marks 150 years as beacon of Catholic education
Following is a timeline noting significant milestones in the history of St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
1850-1871 – Father John Scollard and priests of St. Paul Church, Princeton, begin ministering to Freehold Catholics in a small frame church built on land purchased on the corner of McLean and Randolph Streets.
Jan. 9, 1871 – Bishop of Newark appoints Father Frederick Kivelitz as the first pastor of St. Rose Parish; he travels 20 miles a day by carriage or on horseback for his ministry.
1875 – A one-story school building is purchased and moved to Randolph Street, opening with 60 children and one teacher – the first parochial school in Monmouth County. A second floor was added the next year to serve as a convent.
1878 – Sisters of St. Francis begin teaching in St. Rose of Lima School; their ministry continues today. St. Francis Sisters also act as principals until 2019.
1907 – Enrollment outgrows school building. St. Rose of Lima Church purchases property on McLean Street. The school building with assembly hall on the first floor is built for $26,000. Average attendance at the time is 125 students.
April 15, 1926 – the Parent Teacher Association is formed with 43 members, serving First Friday Breakfast, running Bingo, sponsoring dinners, musicals, minstrels, merchandise clubs and bazaars. Funds are used primarily for the school library and visual aids.
1935 – Enrollment has increased to 240 students taught by six Sisters of St. Francis.
1950 – Title acquired for the former Military School on the corner of South Street and Lincoln Place and the ball field on the south side of Lincoln Place.
Nov. 15, 1956 – Father John A. Kucker presides at ceremonies in the church opening the fundraising campaign to build the two-story, 13-classroom parish school on Lincoln Place; additional classrooms open each year to accommodate growing enrollment.
Dec. 23, 1957 – Bishop George W. Ahr presides at dedication ceremonies.
1964 – Decision is made to add 12 classrooms, a gymnasium-auditorium and a library facility; after the new wing opens, faculty has grown to 18 and student enrollment to 905.
2019 – Cynthia Reimer becomes first lay principal of St. Rose of Lima School.
2024 – Kathy Leonetti becomes second lay principal of St. Rose of Lima School.