St. Marguerite School students welcome Bishop Wester

Intermountain Catholic

Photo 1 of 2

Second grade students at St. Marguerite Parish Elementary School trade riddles with Bishop Wester, who was paying his first visit to the school. The school began as pre-kindergarten classes held in Janet Barbiero's basement, and has grown to include pre-kindergarten classes through grade three. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

TOOELE — Like the little train that thought it could, St. Marguerite Elementary School is chugging along against all odds. What began as pre-kindertarten classes held in Janet Barbiero’s basement now has classes for pre-kindergarten classes, all day kindergarten, and grades one through three.

"From Janet’s basement, the school moved to the old convent, which originally was the parish’s first church," said Marcella Burden, principal and teacher of second- and third-graders. "We moved into the basement of the church, and two years ago received permission from (Holy Cross) Sister Catherine Kamphaus to add a first grade, then a second grade."

As so many schools in the diocese have begun, St. Marguerite School is adding a class per year. But space in the church basement is limited.

"It’s time for us to build an education center here," said Fr. Wixted. "We already have the land, we just need to make the arrangements to expand and build."

Although the basement of the church has served them quite well, Burden said, "it would be costly to get the school up to code and add sprinklers. Do we begin a capital campaign or do we invest in modular units? We want to do what is wisest."

Fr. Wixted said the church facilities already provide a cafeteria and a gymnasium, and he is talking with a school architect.

"We’re growing out of this place," Burden said. "What do we do now?"