On the 8th of November, 1953 – Bishop J. O. Bowers SVD came to New Juabeng Traditional
Area on his first Pastoral Visit. Discussions with Nana Frempong Manso II led to the Catholic Mission. Father Anthony Bauer and Fr. Henk Janseen were asked to survey the land. Their report was favourable.
In 1955 – early in that year, Bishop J. O. Bower decided to build a junior seminary for the Dioces of Accra. In January, 1955 Fr. Jud, SVD, Dr. Balduricus and Dr. Lucian Orians came to construct the first buildings, one clasroom block and a combined Fathers Residence/Administrative block.
In early 1957, Dr. Damian Brockmann, SVD constructed the Science Block (which is now a students dormitory called “Elsbend House”).
In October, 1957, ishop Bowers appointed Rev. Fr. Alphonse Elsbend s the first Headmester and Sinary Rector assisted by Rev. John O’Sullivan and REv. Joseph Skorupka.
OPENING:
On 21 January, St. John’s Seminary and College oopended ith 45 students: 14 seminarians and 31 day students in two Forms. One Ghanaian lay teacher, Mr. Paul Ohene-Boakye was employed to help the 3 SVD priests.
In June, 1958, Electricity was extended to the school at a cost of 45 pounds.
On the 20th July, 1961, the first Speech and Prize Giving Day was held. The Guest Speaker was Rev. Maurice Lesage, SVD. M.SC. Headmaster of Acquinas SEcondary School, and the distribution of Prizes was done by Nana Frempong Mposo II. The Schools enrolment at this time ws 23 Seminarians and 90 day students, totalling 113 students. Pius Kpeglo (now Monsigneur), Senior Prefect of the Seminary and School, was successful in his G.C.E. examinations, and left on Scholaship on 7th August, 1961 to do Philosophy and Theology at the Diocesan Seminary in Regensburg, Germany.
CHANGE OF NAME AND ABSORPTION INTO THE PUBLIC SYSTEM
From 1958 to 1968, St. John’s College operated as a private Catholic institution financed by the Catholic Diocese of Accra and by the school fees of the few students. Due to the high cost of running the school, Father Frerischs, the second Headmaster, with the approval of Bishop Bowers, applied for incorporation into the Public Education System of the Ministry of Education.
On September 1st 1968, St. John Seminary and College was absorbed into the Ghana Education Service as a government assisted secondary school. The name of the school was changed to POPE JOHN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND JUNIOR SEMINARY in order to avoid confusion with other Catholic Schools in Ghana already designated “St. John”.
POPE JOHN was chosen in memory of Pope John XXIII who had just convened the Second Vetican Council and to keep the identity and purpose of the former St. John’s College.
Source: www.ghanaschoolsnet.com
