ICRS

Immaculate Conception Church was incorporated as a canonical parish in 1867; however, as early as 1753 missionary priests would visit this area on a regular basis to serve the needs of the Catholic people who settled in the northwestern New Jersey area. Until the first Catholic Church was built in 1863 on Corkhill Road, in the mining town then known as Franklin Furnace, the Eucharist was often celebrated in the ballroom of the Franklin Hotel or in the storeroom over the Oakes, Ames & Co. Store.

Much of the area’s early growth can be attributed to the iron, and later, zinc mines.  (Today, the borough of Franklin is still known as “The Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World”.)  During the 1800’s and early 1900’s, Franklin was a busy, booming area.  The mines were prosperous, and Franklin’s proximity to New York City drew many affluent people to visit.  They were drawn to the many lake communities in the area for relaxation and recreation, and could find first-class entertainment at the Franklin Theater.

During this time, the first of Immaculate Conception’s mission churches were established; St. Thomas of Aquin in Ogdensburg in 1881, and St. Monica in Sussex in 1881.  These missions flourished and grew, and in 1940 became parishes of their own.

Through the efforts of Pastor John F. Boylan, on June 27, 1902 the cornerstone was set for a beautiful stone church on Church Street in Franklin Borough.  The church was dedicated on June 14, 1903 by Bishop John J. O’Connor, Diocese of Newark, and has been the home of Immaculate Conception parish ever since.

The continued influx of people to the northwestern New Jersey area dictated the need for more mission churches.  St. Monica established Our Lady of Fatima in Highland Lakes in 1949 and St. Francis de Sales in McAfee in 1963.  When Our Lady of Fatima became a parish in 1965, it became the mother church to St. Francis de Sales until it too became a parish in 1979.   Immaculate Conception again became a mother church in 1958 to St. John Vianney in Stockholm, and later to St. Jude in Hamburg in 1966.  They became independent parishes in 1979 and 1981, respectively.

The significant growth soon brought the need for a Catholic School.  On May 15, 1960, ground was broken for Immaculate Conception School on land nestled behind the rectory on Church Street.  Rev. James A. McNulty, Bishop of Paterson, dedicated the school on May 11, 1961.  In August of that year our first three Sisters of Charity arrived: Sister John Teresa Stanton, Sister Therese Francis Lorenz, and Sister Maria James Mulligan.  Grades one through six were taught the first year, but by 1963 the school had 201 students in grades one through eight.  The first graduating class (Class of 1964) had nine boys and six girls.

However, in the early 1970’s, due to escalating labor costs, combined with the effects of a severe recession throughout the United States, mining in the area was no longer profitable and the mines closed their doors. Enrollment at Immaculate Conception School dropped to 190.

In 1974, Immaculate Conception organized an Education Council to assess the viability of the school continuing as a parish school.  The decision was made to regionalize.  Originally, there were six sending parishes: St. Monica, St. Thomas of Aquin, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Francis de Sales, and St. John Vianney, as well as Immaculate Conception.  St. Jude came later, bringing the total to seven.

Our first Kindergarten class arrived in 1977 with an enrollment of 21.  In 1998, we had to expand to a second Kindergarten with each class having 28 children.  Our Pre-K-4 program began in 1991 and Pre-K-3 started in 1992.  Approximately 85 percent of our Pre-K students continue with our Kindergarten.  Also in 1991, to meet the needs of our families who were now more commonly two-wage earner families, before and after-school programs were initiated.  With all this activity, the mid-1990s saw enrollment climbing and a waiting list for Kindergarten.

An expansion committee was established in 1997 to determine how to meet the swelling enrollment.  A double modular unit was obtained in 1998, as we added the second Kindergarten and another second grade.  Meetings of the committee continue, as our growth dictates the need for more room very soon.  Our enrollment for 1999/2000 is a record high of 321!

Our quest for accreditation by the Middle States Association began in 1987.  In 1989, Immaculate Conception Regional School (ICRS) became the first accredited grammar school in Sussex County.

To ensure ICRS continues to be a beacon for academic excellence and personal development for future generations, the Education Council began our Endowment Fund in 1995, with a goal of $500,000.  Through special fundraising (SCRIP program and memorial cards), we have reached $43,000.

February 1999 was bittersweet as Sister Therese and Sister Maria, with the school from the first day in 1961, retired and left ICRS.  Although they are physically gone from the school, the love and dedication each Sister of Charity brought to Immaculate Conception will never leave.  Engrained in our mission is the desire to instill their values in each ICRS student.

ICRS has always been blessed with dedicated and loyal families, faculty and pastors.  It is interesting to note that 14 of our current parents are alumni of Immaculate.  The dedication of our parents is one of Immaculate Conception Regional School’s greatest strengths, as it has been from the very first day the school opened in 1961.  On the first day, after dropping off her daughter, Mrs. Madge Glynn asked if there was anything she could do to help.  The three sisters put her in charge of answering the telephone.  Madge stayed for 30 years as Immaculate Conception’s cheerful, welcoming secretary.