St. Teresa’s to celebrate 65 years

ALBANY, Ga. — From its humble beginnings in a home on Residence Avenue in 1945 to the more modern school on Edgewood Lane, St. Teresa’s School has had a long history of providing a private education to Dougherty County youths.

The school will be celebrating its 65th anniversary with a celebration mass and dinner on Oct. 16.

Grace Ledwitch, media specialist for St. Teresa’s School, said four sisters who taught at the school during its 65 years will be coming back to Albany for the celebration.

“We wanted to bring them back to the school so that they can see the changes that have been made and how it has grown,” said the media specialist.

Ledwitch said one of the biggest changes the sisters will notice is the building that served as the sister’s convent is now the Parish Activity Center where the celebratory dinner will be held.

“I’m personally excited to see how the react to the changes,” added Ledwitch.

The four sisters will be coming from different areas of the U.S., said school officials. Two will be flying from Illinois, one from Kansas and another from Pennsylvania.

A fund has been created to pay for the airline tickets to Albany — the Flying Nun Fund. Those who want to contribute can stop by St. Teresa’s front office for more information.

Mass will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Teresa’s Church, followed by a reception where a presentation detailing the school’s history will be shown.

Ledwitch said a dinner will follow at the Parish Activity Center where adult’s and children’s menus will be available.

A Sunday afternoon parish picnic will conclude the school’s 65th anniversary celebration.

School officials said memorabilia marking the school’s 65th anniversary will be available to purchase during the events.

According to Ledwitch, who has served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal for the school, said St. Teresa’s opened its doors in September 1945 at a home on Residence Avenue next to St. Teresa’s church, which was erected in 1859.

The school was staffed by four Adorers of the Blood of Christ sisters from Columbus, Pa., and began with 31 students from grades K-6.

School officials said St. Teresa’s, which was named in honor of St. Teresa of Avila, is the oldest non-public school in Albany.

“The celebration will be a walk down memory lane for us and I think it is something to celebrate that we were the first non-public school in the area and we are still here and are still growing,” said Ledwitch.