* Our History *

Toward the end of the 1950’s a movement to provide better education opportunities for the Catholic high school age students resulted in a number of consolidations in the Dubuque Archdioceses. On July 3, 1956, pastors of the parishes surrounding St. Joseph’s, Bellevue, held a preliminary meeting to discuss the concept of a central Catholic high school to be opened in the fall of 1957.

The official incorporation of Marquette High School became effective on September 25, 1956. Overseeing the corporation were Archbishop Leo Binz, Monsignor George Biskup as Archdiocesan Vicar General, Father Frederick C. Bahning as Executive Coordinator and two laity Matthew Manders of Bellevue and Reinhold Steines, Sr. of Springbrook. The initial members of the Council of Administration included the pastors of Sts. Peter and Paul’s, Springbrook, St. John’s, Andrew, St. Joseph’s, Bellevue, St. Catherine’s, St. Donatus, St. Peter’s, Sabula and Sacred Heart, Green Island.

The plans for Marquette High School were officially announced on January 17, 1957. St. Joseph’s parish made available lot 451, formally part of the playground of St. Joseph’s School, for the site of the Marquette building. A one story, brick and glass structure of simple design was planned.

Construction of Marquette High School was completed by October 1957 at a total cost of $199,523. Archbishop Leo Binz dedicated and blessed Marquette High School before a large crowd of parishioners, students, and local dignitaries on October 27, 1957.

The first faculty of Marquette High School were comprised of Archdiocesan priests and the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Father Frederick C. Bahning of St. Joseph’s, Bellevue and Father William J. Tiedeman were full-time teachers and Father Richard R. Krapfl of St. Catherine’s, Father Peter M. Graff of St. Donatus and Father Ivan J Boyd of St. Peter’s, Sabula and Sacred Heart, Green Island were part-time teachers.

Sister Mary Georgiana Blum was named the first principal of Marquette. Sister Mary Gerardine Bos, Sister Mary Maristelle Massman, Sister Mary Jolene Heue, Sister Mary Rosannita Menke and Sister Mary Edna Wagner made up the rest of the faculty. Enrollment at Marquette varied greatly through the years. One hundred eighty-nine were enrolled the first year. When the Holy Rosary High School in LaMotte closed in 1965, the Marquette corporation was reorganized to include Holy Rosary parish. As a result, enrollment at Marquette High School increased to 266 and two lay teachers and three religious sisters were added to the faculty. The highest enrollment recorded at Marquette was 318 students in 1972.

After years of leakage problems, a new pitched roof was added to the school during the summer of 1988. A gable was also added to the north doors to enhance the appearance of the front entrance. The time during construction yielded problems itself. Due to holes drilled for building purposes, rain leaked into the school early one morning. Custodian Norbert Ernst and his wife, Mary, came at 4:00 a.m. to clean up the mess. Fortunately, no permanent damage was done.

On December 10, 1996, the Marquette Educational Center (MEC) opened its doors. The gymnasium is part of the Lynch Auditorium, which is named after Fr. Mick Lynch, and includes the ICN room (Iowa Communications Network), stage and four locker rooms. The ICN room allows students to attend college level classes via video conferencing. Father Mick Lynch, a former principal and a long-time Marquette supporter, along with his father, matched 10% of the money raised by the end of 1998, up to $1,000,000. The new center also features a fiber optics room and a kitchen. The dedication ceremony was held in January of 1997.

The goal of the capital campaign, named Commitment to Our Future, was to raise $900,000. With major support from the community as a whole, over 1.3 million dollars was raised. Campaign leaders Randy Bender, Mike Doland, Mark Ernst, Joe Blitgen, Jim Kettmann and Dan and Lori Kilburg are credited with the success of the fundraising. Ground was broken for the new education center on April 12, 1996. Prism, of Keiler, Wisconsin, the general contractor, was assisted by over fifty students and parents. The volunteers laid sod, poured cement, and assembled the bleachers. Kieffer Plumbing completed the finishing touches in the bathrooms and locker rooms. Gene Konrardy handcrafted the oak trophy case located in the lobby.