Picture this. A grand brick structure stands before you. This is Kearns-Saint Ann Catholic School. Its history whispers tales of faith hope and love. It’s more than just a school. It’s a living testament to the generosity of Jennie Judge Kearns.
Kearns-Saint Ann Catholic School wasn’t always a school. It began as St Ann’s Orphanage in 1891. Many children were orphaned due to mining accidents. The Sisters of the Holy Cross opened the orphanage to care for them. They started in a small adobe building. Soon they needed a larger space.
Bishop Lawrence Scanlan sought land for a new orphanage. He faced financial difficulties. Enter Jennie Judge Kearns. She generously donated $60000. This covered the land purchase and construction costs. The orphanage opened in 1900. It housed 92 children and the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The building itself is a masterpiece of Chateauesque architecture. It was designed by Carl M Neuhausen. He also designed the Kearns Mansion and the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
The orphanage thrived for over fifty years. It provided not only shelter but also education. Children shared responsibilities. They helped with the orphanage’s operations except for accounting. Funding came from various sources including donations and later from the Kearns Foundation. Patrick Phelan’s generous bequest in 1902 also supported the orphanage.
The orphanage transitioned into a parochial school in 1954. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word took over. The school opened with 240 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. A grade was added each year. Eventually the school encompassed all eight grades. The name Kearns was added to reflect its history and the important role of the Kearns family.
The school faced a crisis in the early 1990s. The building was old and needed extensive renovations. A decision was made to renovate rather than rebuild. The renovation preserved its historic integrity while modernizing it to meet building codes. Today Kearns-Saint Ann Catholic School continues its mission. It serves a diverse student population. It embodies a century of faith hope and love. It stands as a beacon of community and education in Salt Lake City.