When the Franciscans were asked, in 1859, to make a foundation in Quincy, it was expressly stipulated that, besides engaging in parish work, they would open a high school for boys and young men. There was, indeed, urgent need of a Catholic high school and college in this part of the state, but owing to the scarcity of priests and religious, it was a matter of extreme difficulty, if not an impossibility, to obtain Catholic educators for such an institution. In these circumstances, the pioneer Franciscans, with characteristic zeal and energy, determined to accept the invitation of Rt. Rev. Bishop Juncker to supply the deficiency.
The arrival of Father Servatius Altmicks and his companions in Quincy and the beginning of their foundation, has already been told. As soon as the friars had taken up their abode in the Mast House, as the end of December, 1859, the set aside the first floor for the purposes of the high school which they planned to open as soon as possible. This undertaking in the interest of education was attended with many difficulties. The Fathers were few in number, hampered by the lack of resources, and besides engaged in pastoral work. At this distant date, it is indeed a cause of wonderment that they succeeded so well in the face of so many difficulties; one cannot but admire the zeal and courage of these pioneers. It was naturally impossible under the circumstances, to begin with a complete course. The main point was to make a beginning; the course could be extended and perfected later as reinforcements would arrive from Germany and the conditions in the mission would improve. This was the opinion of Bishop Juncker, the Rev. H. Schaefermeyer, and of the Catholics of Quincy. Accordingly, the Fathers resolutely set to work, and early in the year 1860, probably in March, they were in a position to receive the first students.
Excerpted from ‘The Franciscans in Southern Illinois’ by the Rev. Silas Barth, O.F.M. Originally appearing in Illinois Catholic Historical Review, Volume III. Published by the Illinois Catholic Historical Society, Chicago, 1920.