History of SJS

The St. Joseph School building has been an icon of Yoakum for the past 85+ years. It is one of the tallest buildings in Yoakum, creating a view that continually reminds the community of fond childhood memories as well as proving the determined, continued success of the town and its educational works. The foundation of education started with St. Joseph School, in Yoakum and in this building, has an interesting history.

The details of St. Joseph School dates back to 1850, and was officially recognized as a parish school by 1891. Although the original church/schoolhouse building is not the building we use today, due to a fire in 1895, the faith-filled legacy of the school has been in our community for over a century.

Construction for the current 3-story, brick building began in 1926, and was eagerly completed in 1929. Shortly after the dedication in March 1929, the Stock Market crashed and the nation entered the Great Depression. For years following, the school struggled to make even the annual interest payments, but it persevered and prayerfully believed in its success and in the great academic contribution provided to students in Yoakum. As a result, St. Joseph School survived the Great Depression, at least 3 attempts to close the school in the early 1900s, and still functions today as a learning environment.

• 1850 – Log church built on Supplejack Creek
• 1891 – Church was also utilized as a school and was officially known as a parish school
• 1895 – Log church/school building burned, destroying all previous records
• 1895 – Yoakum Convent and School was started, at Brushy Creek, by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in Hallettsville.
• 1900 – Sisters of the Incarnate Word secured 2 lots of land in Yoakum for convent and school to be relocated to Orth Street
• 1902 – First graduation from St. Joseph Academy – 4 graduates
• 1905 – Yoakum Convent affiliated with the Victoria Convent to manage St. Joseph Academy
• 1911 – Operation of St. Joseph Academy transferred to Sisters of Divine Providence, under assignment of Bishop J.W. Shaw
• 1913 – Enrollment: Over 100 students; Tuition Costs: $1 - $2 per student
• 1918 – School and church were closed indefinitely due to influenza epidemic
• 1925 – Parish board made plans for a new school building
• 1926 – Construction on the current three-story, brick building began
• 1928 – Arrangements made to operate St. Joseph School on a parochial school basis
• 1929 – Construction complete; School dedication in March of 1929
• 1936 – Due to financial burdens from the stress of The Great Depression, St. Joseph School was ordered to close, but a clerical error kept the school open
• 1939 – St. Joseph School obtained its first accreditation
• 1958 – School/Parish gym was built – included a cafeteria and a parish meeting room
• 1966 – St. Joseph Student Council established
• 1970 – St. Joseph High School closed for financial reasons
• 1982 – A complete exterior renovation of the school was completed, including new windows
• 1984 – Sisters of the Divine Providence withdrew the two remaining Sisters from St. Joseph School, because of a lack of personnel at the convent.
• 1985 – First St. Joseph School yearbook was published
• 1987 – Eight Apple computers were purchased and installed
• 1992 – St. Joseph School Board authorized the establishment of a Pre-Kindergarten Program located in the old convent across from the church
• 2004 – Last Sister left; school was completely run by lay persons after this year
• 2013 – Completion of the installation of new windows in the entire school
• 2013 – Pre-kindergarten relocated to first floor of St. Joseph School
• 2017 – School cafeteria moved to the parish family center kitchen 
• 2018 – New carpet and tile installed throughout the entire school building