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.