TIME CAPSULE FINDS — Items found in a time capsule from 1924, the box pictured at right, are displayed after having been discovered following the demolition of the former Holy Name High School at 416 S. Fifth St., Steubenville. The property recently served as the Cathedral Apartments and was leased by the Jefferson County Community Action Council from 1924-2021. -- Matthew A. DiCenzo/Steubenville Register

STEUBENVILLE — An article and photos by staff writer Matthew A. DiCenzo that appeared in the Jan. 21 issue of the Steubenville Register details how the demolition of the former Holy Name High School resulted in a time capsule being unearthed and removed from the building’s cornerstone.

Owned by the Diocese of Steubenville, the downtown building at 416 S. Fifth St., has served in various capacities through the years, including as the Cathedral Apartments.

Originally, however, it was built for Holy Name High School, according to DiCenzo’s story.

“According to school history, Holy Name High School was founded in 1889 in connection to Holy Name Grade School by Father James J. Hartley, who later became the bishop of Columbus,” DiCenzo wrote. “As the school continued to grow, a separate building for the high school became necessary. Property was obtained to build the high school across the street from the elementary school, kitty-corner from Holy Name Church (Cathedral). Father Joseph A. Wiegand, later name a monsignor, was pastor at the time.”

Ground was broken March 25, 1924, for Holy Name High School with the cornerstone laid July 13, 1924.

“The school was opened in the fall of 1925. Father Edward A. Gilbert, later named a monsignor, became administrator of Holy Name Parish before the school’s opening. He became pastor and was named superintendent of the school. The building originally was built as a one-story, four-room structure. According to school history, Father Gilbert oversaw an expansion of the school, which added several classrooms. The building became a two-story structure,” he wrote.

By 1930, Holy Name High School became a centralized school for the parishes in Steubenville, Mingo Junction and Toronto. The name was changed to Catholic Central High School.

In 1947, plans were made for a new school in the city’s West End. Construction began for a new school in 1949, On Sept. 10, 1950, the new Catholic Central High School, which continues to serve as the school today, was dedicated. History from the dedication book reads: “In 1931, the total enrollment in Catholic Central was 134; in 1950, the graduating class numbered 171. The registration for the 1950-51 school year is almost 800. As these figures indicate, the need for a new school has been apparent for almost 10 years.”

After the high school left downtown Steubenville, the building became Holy Name Grade School. In 1972, Bishop John King Mussio, Steubenville’s first bishop, closed the grade school because of low enrollment. Students were expected to attend All Saints, Steubenville.

Several years after the grade school closed, the Jefferson County Christian School occupied the property until it moved to another location.

In 1994, the Jefferson County Community Action Council leased the building from the diocese. The former school became the Cathedral Apartments, and people lived there until October, when the building was deemed unsafe for inhabitants

Demolition began in December and was completed in January. During the building’s razing, the time capsule was found in the cornerstone. Items in it included:

– A yearbook from Holy Name High School, “The Companion Annual 1924;”

– Holy Name High School’s student newspaper, The Companion: Vol. 11, No. VI, June 12, 1924;

– A Holy Name Church Souvenir 1885-1910 booklet;

– A booklet written by Father Weigand, titled, “A Simple Course of Religion for Little Ones Preparing for Their First Holy Communion;”

– Prayer cards included by Sister Adelaide from Holy Name Convent, dated June 25, 1924;

– A list of the church committee;

– A church bulletin from July 13, 1924, the same day the cornerstone was laid;

– A vase in which some of the paper items were kept while in the time capsule; and

– A wooden box which included a Holy Name Church souvenir medal as well as medals with images of Mary, saints, Pope Pius XI and a Jerusalem Pilgrim’s cross medal.