walkLEX: Restored parochial school
on Short St. is testament to adaptive use

By Peter Brackney
KyForward contributor

Old meets new at the main campus of Sts. Peter & Paul School on Lexington’s West Short Street. The two-story school at Saunier Avenue (formerly Sycamore Street) first opened in 1915. For 73 years, the St. Paul School met educational needs of the parish. Shrinking attendance, however, forced the diocese to close the school in 1988. A few years ago, a resurgence in numbers and a major renovation/expansion of the campus brought new life to the beautiful, historic school.

This two-story classical revival building on West Short Street first rose from the ground in 1913. The cornerstone was laid on Dec. 14, 1913, in a ceremony presided over by the Bishop of Covington, Right Rev. C. P. MaesIts brick facade is set back from West Short Street, leaving westward pedestrians (and at one time automobiles) with an undisrupted visual approach to the St. Paul’s church. (Sanborn Map (1907); Source: KDL)

This visual approach was a positive change for the parish as the building previously had no set-back as can be seen on the 1907 Sanborn insurance map of Lexington.

With seven bays atop a high foundation, the building is quite impressive. It was designed by L. K. Frankel, a professor of mechanical engineering at the State University (now the University of Kentucky) at a projected cost of $30,000. Frankel was also a State College alumnus who was underpaid by the College for his work as professor as acknowledged by State College President James Patterson in his annual report to the governor: (Am. Arch. & Architecture, v. 103)

(State College Annual Report to the Governor, 1903/04)

It is clear that Frankel did stay at State College, for it was this project some ten years later which left his name forever etched into Lexington’s architectural landscape. A literal etching exists in the pediment above the West Short Street entrance: “St. Paul’s” with the Roman numerals for 1865 (the year of the church’s cornerstone, MDCCCLXV) and 1913 (the year of the school’s cornerstone, MCMXIII) on either side.

A parochial school, however, did exist on the site before the erection of St. Paul’s. In fact, St. Paul’s was preceded by St. John’s Male Academy which was begun by a Mr. Lamb in 1867. In 1887, the sisters of Charity of Nazareth took over the school and renamed it St. Paul’s. A late 20th-century merger with neighboring parish school St. Peter’s created the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School.

For many years, a utilitarian metal awning allowed weather-protected entrance into the parochial school. Fortunately, this awning was removed and the original lamps on either side of the West Short Street entrance were restored in the recent renovation. The renovation also included a major renovation with new classrooms. Many organizations and individuals stepped up to the plate so that this historic building could once again thrive: Knights of Columbus (gymnasium); Alltech (science labs); and the Lucille Caudille Little Foundation (theatre).

Today, nearly 500 students in grades one through eight learn in this modern environment that embraces its historic roots. First-floor classrooms retained original hardwood flooring, tall ceilings and enormous windows. A cross in the hallway is made up of tiles painted with student self-portraits; the tiles themselves were from the church’s old baptistry. But even before the renovation, this wonderful institution was in 2006 properly recognized as a Blue Ribbon School.

For more photos from Sts. Peter and Paul, check out flickr.

Peter Brackney has combined a love of Kentucky with an interest in history in www.kaintuckeean.com, where he shares his photos and stories about some of the unique places around the Commonwealth. Born in Ohio, he came to Kentucky at an early age and grew up in Lexington. A double alumnus of the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in accounting and his juris doctorate, he lives in Nicholasville with his family. Reach him at peter@kaintuckeean.com.

Story republished from The Kaintuckeean.