In 1923 Fr. Enos Barnes came to serve St. Malachy. Fr. Barnes was a believer in Catholic education. His concern was to build a school for that purpose. The school was built at a cost of $48,000 and was for students from first through eighth grade. Fr. Barnes contracted with the Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin to teach. On August 8, the footings for the school were poured and on August 30, the first teaching sisters arrived. The church was across the street from the convent and school. Since the school was not yet ready, classes were held in the convent.

The school opened on December 3 with an enrollment of fifty students. Seventh and eighth grade students were taught by Sister Sylvester, fourth, fifth and sixth grades by Sister Corona and first, second and third by Sister Serverenus and the housekeeper was Sister Christina. Approximately 50 women gathered to help prepare for the arrival of the Sisters.

Even though the school was not complete, the nuns made arrangements to teach in the school hall, basement, and some in the music hall at the convent. At the end of the school year, an examination was given by the pastor. The results were so good it gave promise for the future of the school.

In 1924, the first graduate of the school was Francis Lipke. The next year two more boys graduated: Joseph Vandemore and Ambrose Splear.

In 1961 Fr. George Herbach was appointed pastor and started a drive to add to the school. The addition was to cost $75,000.00 and each wage earner was to pledge $250.00 to be paid over a period of three years. Even though the school increased in size, it was decided to decrease the number of grades to 6.

In September 1966, the school had the use of four new classrooms. There were four nuns, four lay teachers and 299 students. In 1969, the final eighth grade graduation was held. The grade school was reduced to the first six grades.

In 1972, after more than 40 years of service to the community, the Dominican Order of teaching nuns left the parish. Seven lay teachers were hired to start the fall term.

In 1974, the first Parents Club Car Party was held at the Moose Lodge. Parents Club members made the food, served it and cleaned up afterwards. Tickets were $27.50. The following year the Car-Party was held at the Deck.

In 1979, Rev. Thomas Brajkovich was appointed new pastor in June. In 1980, Fr. Kevin Zerull was appointed as new assistant pastor. There were approximately 1000 families with 159 pupils in grades 1-6. The church that was built for 400 parishioners had become too small. It would have been too costly to remodel the old church and there was not enough ground for a larger building and more parking. Fr. Brajkovich began the search for property on which to build a new church. A building committee was formed for planning a larger facility. Property was found which proved to be unsatisfactory. Then the property on Ogden Avenue was purchased.