Messmer Catholic Schools recently expanded its property with the purchase of St. Mary Czestochowa Church and Rectory, along with its rectory and garage.
Messmer Catholic Schools include Messmer High School, Messmer Preparatory Catholic School and St. Rose and St. Leo Catholic School. The schools serve over 1,500 students and continue to grow as “many parents seek high quality alternatives to public education,” according to a school press release.
President of Messmer Catholic Schools, Brother Bob Smith, said talks of purchasing St. Mary Czestochowa, which now hosts the Our Lady of Divine Providence Parish, began several months ago to allow for Messmer to grow. The new property, 3027 N. Fratney Street, is adjacent to Messmer Preparatory in the Riverwest neighborhood.
Messmer High School is at its capacity with more than 600 students. More students are on a waiting list, Smith said in an e-mail.
“Messmer has been on a trajectory of increasing demand and controlled growth that does not show signs of slowing,” Smith said.
He said that the growth is a gift, but has left space constraints at all three campuses. The land purchased is approximately 29,476 square feet, Smith said.
With the purchase, Messmer will be able to expand its kindergarten offerings and “establish a framework of high expectations offered in a nurturing and faith-filled environment beginning with our youngest learners,” Smith said.
The land will also be used to create a more “adequate” playground for students as well as create more office space for staff, according to Smith.
“The process was collaborative and has been a blessing to all involved,” Smith said.
Messmer is currently working with architects to decide how to use the space effectively, but no specific details have been released, Smith said. Plans will be announced in the next several months.
The purchase is not likely to affect the high school, even with its full capacity.
“(The) only way it will affect the high school is moving some of the central offices located at Messmer High School to our new location,” said Jennifer Flierl, marketing and communications manager for Messmer Catholic Schools.
The high school will have to make considerations down the line, but not right now, according to Flierl. Our Lady of Divine Providence Parish will remain as is and Messmer Preparatory will use it for Masses and prayer services.
“Messmer Preparatory School will be able to use the space for Mass,” Flierl said. “They also used it for their Christmas program last year.”
Parish priests Tim Kitzke, Brian Mason and Michael Michalski offered to assist with functions, according to a press release.
“Mass will continue to be celebrated at (Our Lady of Divine Providence) on Monday and Tuesday mornings and Saturday afternoon,” Smith said.