FREEBURG — Holy Family School officially broke ground on Tuesday, May 26, on a long-anticipated expansion project that hopes to secure the future of Catholic education in the community for generations to come.

Holy Family Principal Debbie Reinkemeyer said the “Building a Legacy of Learning” expansion project represents the latest chapter in the school’s history that stretches back more than 120 years.

“Today is more than the beginning of a construction project,” she added. “It is the continuation of a mission that has been alive in this community for well over a century.”

Students, families, parishioners, alumni, community supporters, diocesan officials, and school leaders gathered outside the school to celebrate the beginning of construction on the project, which is expected to add classrooms, a new multipurpose gymnasium and cafeteria, improved safety features, administrative offices, and other educational improvements.

Founded in 1904, Holy Family School has served generations of families in Freeburg and surrounding communities. School leaders noted that area families originally came together to build the first school under the leadership of Fr. Gerard Fick. Despite financial hardships and a devastating fire in 1934, parishioners rebuilt and continued investing in Catholic education.

Subsequent improvements included excavation of the school’s basement in 1949 and the addition of the current cafeteria in 1975.

Tuesday’s groundbreaking marked the next major step in that legacy.

“When this building first opened its doors, the world looked very different,” said Building Committee Member Ryan Libbert, noting that every generation of Holy Family supporters has contributed improvements to the school since its founding. “But even then, the people who built it shared the same dream we hold today — to create a place where young minds can discover their potential, learn their faith, and build a better future.”

PROJECT COSTS AND BENEFITS

Capital Campaign Chair Nyla Bassett recalled sitting in Mass during the early planning stages, praying for guidance, and looking toward a statue of Jesus when she asked whether the project should move forward. “On that day, I asked for his help,” said Bassett. “I asked for guidance, and I asked him to show me whether we should move forward with the project or not. In that moment, in my heart, I heard the words very clearly: ‘Build the school.’” 

Bassett, who has helped coordinate fundraising and oversee the campaign process, said the project took time to develop. “When this idea first began, and I’ll be honest with you, we didn’t know how to build a school,” she noted. “We didn’t know all the steps, the meetings, the planning, the decisions, and the challenges it would take to get to this point. Standing here today, seeing all of you, seeing all the support behind this project, I truly believe we’re doing exactly what we’ve been called to do.”

Bassett told the crowd last Tuesday that the ceremony was about more than a new building. “It’s about investing in our children, our faith, and the future of this community,” she said. “Schools like ours are more than places of education. They are the heart of the community, where faith is strengthened, values are taught, and lifelong friendships are formed. A strong school strengthens families, and strong families strengthen the community.”

Some students currently learn in areas never intended to serve as permanent classrooms.

“Honestly, the school has to grow,” she said, adding that growing enrollment also contributed to the need. “We have kids in a classroom on our stage. We have kids in our basement. We’ve needed this space for a long time.”

Bassett noted that portions of the current facility have been pressed back into service because of overcrowding.

Classrooms located in basement areas barely meet fire regulations, while others require students and staff to travel through storage rooms and boiler-room access areas. The school also maintains a permanent classroom on the stage area, creating both safety and distraction concerns.

Libbert noted at the ceremony that planning in 2006 for the expansion project was halted in 2008 due to the Great Recession and finally revived in 2022 after a 14-year hiatus.

Initially, the project had a price tag of approximately $6 million, but after revisions, “Plan B” carries an estimated cost of 5.2 million. The revised design approved by the Diocese of Jefferson City reduces costs by combining the proposed gymnasium and cafeteria into a single multipurpose facility.

The expansion will include four new classrooms, a new gymnasium-cafeteria complex, faculty offices, resource rooms, ADA-compliant restrooms, an expanded kitchen, additional storage space, and a safer student drop-off area featuring a roundabout driveway located away from the busy roadway.

Bassett said improving student safety was one of the project’s major priorities, noting that students currently exit vehicles along the street, and the new design will provide a dedicated drop-off area and improved traffic flow.

“The first place is going to start up here,” said Bassett of the driveway. “They’re going to get this taken care of so the students can easily get in and out of school come this fall.”

Mayor Darryl Haller noted that the village is very supportive of the project. “The expansion of Holy Family School is a tremendous asset to our community,” he said. “It strengthens the educational opportunities available to our children and supports the continued growth of our village. I have always believed that strong schools build strong communities, and this project is a perfect example of that. We’re proud to support it and excited to see the positive impact it will have for years to come.”

Freeburg trustees approved a temporary easement for the contractors who will be working on the construction project, with a permanent easement being prepared by church representatives.

Additional safety improvements include a double-entry security vestibule, a designated sick-child area, and a dedicated early childhood education division.

Bassett added that the larger cafeteria will allow all students to eat lunch during a single seating instead of multiple shifts. The updated kitchen will centralize food storage and improve efficiency with a larger pantry and walk-in cooler.

The current cafeteria will be converted into dedicated art and science classrooms, while basement classrooms will become meeting rooms for parish and community organizations. Existing library and art-room areas will be repurposed for additional storage.

CONTINUING CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Pastor Fr. William Debo welcomed attendees by reflecting on the school’s mission statement and the role Catholic education plays in forming future leaders.

“This much-needed addition to our school is not simply about rooms and orders,” he said. “It’s about creating a place where hearts and minds are formed and grown in greater wisdom, knowledge, and the love of Christ.”

Fr. Debo described the project as an investment in the future of the parish, school, and wider community.

“Today we place shovels into the earth, but we are doing something even greater than building,” he said.

Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell, who attended the ceremony, praised the community’s commitment to Catholic education and thanked parishioners for supporting the project through years of planning and fundraising.

“What a gift to be surrounded by such nature and building on that natural quality, your commitment to Catholic education,” Bishop O’Donnell said. “You are giving your time, commitment, talent, and treasure. May God continue to bless you in all your efforts.”

The bishop said he looks forward to returning for the building’s dedication after construction is complete at the end of 2027.

Sister Linda, who has served at Holy Family for 42 years and represented the School Sisters of Notre Dame at the ceremony, said the project reflects a commitment to future generations.

“For over 100 years, Holy Family School has been serving this community,” she said. “With God’s help and your continued support, Holy Family School will be serving children for many generations into the future.”

Sister Linda described the expansion as a place where future students will discover their gifts and prepare for lives of faith and service. “This building is going to be a place where curiosity is celebrated, where creativity flourishes, and where every child is empowered to reach their full potential,” she said.

One of the most symbolic elements of the ceremony involved a student-created time capsule.

Principal Reinkemeyer noted that students filled the capsule with letters, memories, reflections, and personal items representing life at Holy Family School in 2026.

“Years from now, when this capsule is opened, future students and families will have the chance to look back and see the faith, hope, and spirit that filled this school community in 2026,” she said.

MOVING FORWARD

Bassett credited numerous volunteers, committee members, parish leaders, donors, and diocesan officials for helping move the project forward.

“I knew this project was bigger than any one person,” she said. “This is about faith, about children, about community, and about creating something that will serve generations to come.”

Construction began immediately following Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony.

School leaders estimate construction will continue for approximately 18 months, with the overall project targeted for completion by Dec. 31, 2027.

Fundraising efforts remain ongoing through the school’s “Building a Legacy of Learning” capital campaign, which offers one-time gifts and multi-year pledge opportunities.

For additional information about the project or to contribute to the campaign, supporters may visit the school’s campaign website at https://holyfamilyfreeburg.com/holy-family-campaign/ or contact Holy Family School directly.

Editor’s note: Warden Publishing staff writer Jeremiah Yonemura contributed to this story with interviews and photographs.