Immanuel Lutheran School
Immanuel Lutheran School was organized September 14, 1867, the same
date as the organization of its parent congregation, Immanuel Lutheran Church
of Mankato. The first school was located at Broad and Washington Streets, in
the same building as the church. In those days the pastor was also the only
teacher. In 1880, the church moved to Second Street and the school took over
the old church building. A newer four room school was built at the same site in
1903 to deal with increasing enrollment. In 1919, the school switched from
classes taught in German to some instruction in English grammar. Kindergarten
was added in 1937. The congregation built a new school adjacent to the church
on Second Street in January of 1970. The school emphasizes a Christian
education.
St. Peter and Paul's School
Opened in 1865 with 84 students and 2 Sisters teaching, St. Peter
and Paul's School is the oldest parochial school in Mankato. By 1870, the
enrollment had grown to 10 and in 1876,the school on the corner of 5th and Main
Streets was built. In 1889, the school separated boys and girls into different
classes. A kindergarten was added in 1906. The school was temporarily closed
during the typhoid epidemic of 1908, when it was used as a hospital by the
Sisters. The school was completely demolished in 1927 by a fire, but was
rebuilt and ready for classes by fall of 1928. In 1937, the school again became
co-educational. The school suffered another fire in 1957. Girls attending St.
Peter and Paul's School began wearing a uniform in the late 1960's and boys
were required to wear them in 1979. The enrollment is now between three and
four hundred pupils in the lower grades.
Woodland Seminary
In 1864, the Rev. Thomson, who began the First Presbyterian Church, built a large frame house and opened a young ladies seminary on November 1, 1864. He called this school Woodland Seminary. Tuition was between $7.50 and $12.50 per term. Enrollment was ten day students and 25 boarding students. The boarding girls brought their own food and were required to work one hour each day to pay for their board. The subjects taught included English, French, German, and Music. The school closed after only a year and a half, when Rev. Thomson's wife fell ill.
Sources:
Mankato Centennial. The City's Schools.
At the Bend in the River. Vernard E. Lundin. pgs. 61-67. Windsor
Publications Inc. 1990.
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