Marquette Catholic School announces plans to buy building on Chestnut Street

Marquette Catholic School in Virginia will soon have a new home with space to grow.

The school announced Friday that they have reached an agreement with a global real estate investment trust to purchase the 60,000 square foot facility at 1301 Chestnut Street in Virginia currently being leased by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Total cost for the property and necessary renovations is estimated at $4.9 million. 

Officials say the new facility, located on 15 acres of land, will address challenges the school is facing at its current location, 311 Third Street South in Virginia, including a lack of adequate space for enrolled students and the need for costly updates and repairs. 

The new facility is expected to approximately double available classroom space, from 11 classrooms to 22, allowing for more growth and new possibilities for Catholic education. The facility is also more accessible for those with physical limitations. 

“I’m incredibly grateful that a door has been opened to us to continue the mission of Catholic education on the Iron Range,” said Father Brandon Moravitz, the school’s pastor. “This new facility will allow us to continue to grow and dream up many more possibilities. I’m forever grateful to God for truly dropping this opportunity upon us from the ‘heavens.’” 

Moravitz said they hope to start renovations in the spring, and potentially move in by fall or Christmas break.

“We certainly honor the legacy of our current facility and the 105 years of generations of students served in our community,” said Lisa Kvas, principal of Marquette. “It has been such a gift even though we have outgrown and outlived it! We could not be more excited about the new school, the blessing that it is, and the opportunities it will provide our students and families now and, hopefully, for the next hundred years.” 

Marquette School was established in 1917, when the mining industry was established and a surge of immigrants settled on the Iron Range. The goal then, as it continues to be now, was to provide a strong Catholic education for families and children across the Iron Range. Marquette currently serves more than 200 students in Pre-K through eighth grade from communities all over the area. 

Marquette Catholic School is dedicated to academic excellence formed in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Marquette nurtures each child’s growth in knowledge, faith, and Christian stewardship, fostering a life of holiness and virtue.