As people protest the planned closure of Blessed Sacrament School, they are looking back at its long history in Erie.

The school opened in 1939. By the late 1950s, there were about 1,000 students.

The next decade marked a period of expansion. Throughout the 1960s, ten classrooms, an auditorium, gym, a cafeteria and a rectory complex were added.

A kindergarten and library opened in the 1970s. 

This period is considered by many to be the school's best.

Enrollment is now at 178 students, the Erie Catholic Diocese said, a 52% drop in about a decade.

A student in one of the first classes at the school is disappointed to see it close.

“It was so crowded back then, we had two classrooms for each grade,” said Chris Maras. “But everything changes. It’s just sad and I feel bad for the school and the teachers and everybody,” he said.

Father Philip Pinczewski, the church’s pastor, said news of the upcoming closure is hard on the parish.

“A lot of life comes from the school to the parish because of young people that are involved in various ways in the parish. It’s disheartening.” 

Tuesday is the first day back for students since the announcement was made Friday afternoon.