Kuemper Catholic commemorates groundbreaking and opens time capsule

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
March 25, 2004

CARROLL - Students at Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll on March 19 reenacted the school's groundbreaking that took place 50 years ago on March 19, 1954. During the ceremony, a time capsule was exhumed from the school's cornerstone.

"It's not only fun and nostalgic, but it is a great way to look forward," said John Steffes, development director at Kuemper. "It's a great way to reflect on what we are doing today and to help us get better for tomorrow."

The great-nephew of Father Leo Lenz, Brian Lenz, led the ceremony, as it would have happened 50 years ago. He and other students were dressed in 1950s religious garments - as sisters in full habits and priests - along with distinguished 1950s characters and St. Angela Academy students.

"It was pretty cool," said Lenz, a senior at Kuemper, about playing the part of his great-uncle. "We had gone through it before, but it is a lot different to get up there and actually have all attention on you. Actually reading the script, it's pretty cool to see what they went through and that it is still here today. I think it is a pretty impressive accomplishment - 50 years and still going strong."

The event began with the St. Angela Academy girls singing a hymn to St. Joseph since March 19 is the Feast of St. Joseph. The ceremony also included "Father Lenz" welcoming people to the groundbreaking, breaking ground, blessing the ground and presenting the school's colors, mascot and logo with an explanation to those in attendance. The official school colors became red and gold, the mascot was a knight and the logo became the shield.

"You are about to witness a very historical event this morning. March 19, 1954, will become a famous date in Carroll history, " said Lenz as Father Lenz did 50 years ago. "We are about to officially begin construction of our long awaited dream - a new central Catholic high school for boys and girls of the Carroll area to be named Kuemper Catholic High School."

The school is named after Father Kuemper.

"Father Kuemper truly deserves to have his name etched in stone," quoted Lenz from the speech that Father Lenz had given. "Father Wessling, who was a young assistant to Father Kuemper when he was at Sts. Peter and Paul across the street, said, 'Father Kuemper was a man of God. He sacrificed many years of his life to make Catholic education available to the young people of Carroll County.'"

The school was also dedicated to the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary and put under their patronage. Lenz reminded the audience to "never forget to honor their guidance and protection that future generations of Kuemper students will enjoy."

Another part of the event included the opening of the cornerstone of the building. According to the blueprints of the building, there was a copper box hidden inside the cornerstone.

As the students and staff re-entered the building for the opening of the time capsule in the cafeteria, they each received a medal to commemorate the special day. The parents club at Kuemper provided the medals.

Items in the capsule included newspapers that had covered the groundbreaking and school opening 50 years ago such as the Carroll Daily Times Herald, the Des Moines Register and The Globe. Other items put in the capsule were parish histories from St. John's in Arcadia, St. Lawrence, St. Joseph and Sts. Peter and Paul in Carroll, St. Joseph in Dedham, St. Augustine in Halbur, Holy Family in Lidderdale, St. Francis of Assisi in Maple River, Holy Angels in Roselle and St. Mary's in Willey. A dime from 1917 was also found inside the copper box.

"I thought there might be some other objects in it," said Dr. Thomas Tacheny, president of Kuemper. "Now that I think about it, the printed materials are probably even more important. I'm glad we have that history."

The history of how Kuemper Catholic came about was in the time capsule and was read aloud by Lenz.

After the outside ceremony and opening of the time capsule, those in attendance were invited to a reception in the cafeteria where coffee, juice and rolls were served. In the cafeteria there was a photo display of Father Leo Lenz.

Plans for a new time capsule are in the works so that people in another 50 years have something to open. The kindergarten through twelfth grade classes are being asked to come up with something to put in the new capsule.

"Each class will dream up what they think will be important to show someone 50 years from now," said Tacheny. "Each class will be able to put some small thing in it, either written or a national item of some kind, so that they can show people 50 years from now what we were like at this point in time."

Also included in the 50th anniversary celebration is a museum located in the high school. The museum has items such as every yearbook from the high school, pictures of the St. Angela's classes, school and athletic uniforms, homecoming buttons and other artifacts such as old photos that have been scanned and restored to be displayed.

Steffes commented that they are planning on spreading out the anniversary events so that it will be a yearlong event instead of just a one-day celebration. They have had events throughout the school year.

"I am very pleased to be part of the great history at Kuemper and to be part of a new 50 years for the system," said Tacheny. "We often take things like this for granted. When a school has been in existence for 50 years, it is important for the new generation to understand all about the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this operation. That they can have an appreciation and carry the tradition on for the next 50 years."