Immaculate Conception School History
Congratulations to the Class of 2010
Now, let’s go back and review our early beginnings… Immaculate Conception School opened its doors on September 12th, 1938. At that time, it accommodated 235 pupils in grades one to five. From the outset ICS has been staffed by the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Brentwood.
Sister Mary Osmund was the first principal.
In October 1949, the enlargement of the building began. Ms. Dorothea Y. Breen is the current principal. As an integral part of Immaculate Conception Parish, which is staffed by
the Passionist Congregation of priests, the school is a local landmark
in the Jamaica Estates area. Presently, ICS serves 500 students
from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. ICS is justly proud of its
graduates, many of whom have become professionals and leaders in
this and other communities.
PHOTOS from the Early Years of Our School
the 1940s thru 1960s below:
The 1940s
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The 1950s
As we move into the 1960s, our parish church is undergoing a massive renovation. The long awaited
construction of the upper church began. It was dedicated on September 22, 1962 by Bishop McEntegart.
The church is designed in the Romanesque style to accommodate 1,350 persons in the nave.
A photo of the front of the church is below (it must be visited, however,to appreciate its
marvelous architectural beauty)
Through the efforts of Mr. Carl Ballenas and the Aquinas Honor Society, there is much more
information on the parish history as well as the
beautiful stained glass windows inside. There are
35 windows – each 17 feet by 3 feet – designed by
Albin Elskus of the Durhan Studio. The front
windows of the Church (near the main
doorway) tell the story of the Immaculate
Conception in the 3 window panels. The
Epistle side of the Church contains 16
windows that portray the mysteries of
the Rosary. The 16 windows on the Gopsel
side represent the Church and the work
of the Church . The Sacraments and gifts
of the Holy Spirit are also depicted.
You can view an updated booklet below
where you can see images and a
brief description of the stained
glass windows. Once again, however,
a visit to the church, is the only way
to truly appreciate their beauty.
Images from the mid 1960s
