The primary mission of Immaculate Conception School is to recognize each child as a unique creation of God. Through the hard work of faculty and staff, we are committed to advancing students’ spiritual, academic, and physical growth through a sound curriculum, parental cooperation, and the support of the community.

We recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children, and we pledge our partnership with them. We will proclaim the doctrines of our Catholic faith and living traditions, not only as intellectual lessons, but as basic moral values for the foundations of a Christian way of life. We will teach so as to provide an atmosphere of trust and love, so that personal relationships and friendships can grow.

We will pursue our teaching with an energetic commitment to Christian peace and justice reflected with professionalism as we develop the total curriculum and in turn the total person.

Father Lawrence Meehan, who came to Morris as pastor in 1889, was responsible for building the parochial school. A man of great zeal and energy, Father Meehan realized the need for a new school. He directed the building of an impressive Byzantine style structure to replace the classrooms provided in the old frame building that had once served as a church. The Holy Cross Sisters of St. Mary’s of Notre Dame, Indiana, staffed the new school.

Father Meehan’s efforts to erect a new parochial school were rewarded when he received a magnificent gift of money from Patrick Kenrick, an aged bachelor and one of the pioneer settlers of this county.  With this and other contributions from parishioners, Father Meehan was able to build a two-story brick building with a basement for $15,000. The first floor was devoted to school purposes; the second floor was finished as a hall with a stage at the north end. It was named Kenrick Hall.

In 1962, Father Lloyd Bowden was instrumental in building the present Immaculate Conception School. All the classrooms in the new school were equipped to receive education television. The 250 students of the school were able to receive the supplemental teaching benefits afforded by the widest possible use of educational television in the Midwest.

The new building cost $265,000, less than $12.00 a square foot. At the time, comparable educational buildings in the same locale ranged from $15.00-$18.00 per square foot, yet the classrooms were well equipped to handle thirty to thirty-five pupils, and the school had desirable low-maintenance features usually found in more costly buildings. Father Bowden was able to inspire volunteers to work, thus avoiding having to hire workers for pay. Through this help, the former school, which had seen service since 1890, was converted into a gymnasium and an auditorium complete with a modern kitchen.