Reliving memories in Lehighton.

Students young and old, teachers, and staff from Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School attended the first ever school reunion held Saturday evening at the school building, 307 Coal Street in Lehighton.

After 128 years, the school closed in 2014. But the memories live on.

The evening began with the 4 p.m. Mass in the church. The main celebrant was the Rev. Thomas Kuller, a Roman Catholic priest with the Jesuit order. Father Kuller was originally from Ss. Peter & Paul and attended school there as well.

After the Mass, more than 100 people gathered in the parish hall, which was the school’s cafeteria, to reminisce about their time at the school.

“Personally, I loved my time at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School,” said John Meier, who put together the reunion. “I think most of us did. I can remember the first things I learned at Catholic School on the very first day. In fact, I still do it today.”

There were photographs on display, several school directories featuring photographs, and a collection of school-related T-shirts and uniforms.

“A lot of changes have taken place, but there’s a lot that remains the same,” said Rev. Christopher Zelonis, the current Pastor at Ss. Peter & Paul. “The memories, the gratitude for the gift of your faith, the love that was imparted here for so many years.”

The person who appeared to have traveled the farthest to attend the reunion was Dr. Richard M. Hopstock, a doctor of Chiropractic, who lives in Los Angeles, California. He rearranged his schedule to attend the reunion with his wife, Suzanne. Dr. Hopstock graduated from Ss. Peter & Paul School in 1968.

“Some of the fondest memories of my life were at this school, and I can pretty much remember everything,” Dr. Hopstock noted. “I lived down the street, and I attended first through eighth grade.”

Some of the classes at Ss. Peter & Paul were small.

“In my class, we had four boys and eight girls,” Dr. Hopstock said. “And we all went through all eight grades together. Three of the boys are here, and most of the girls. We’re all 71 now.”

“It’s a beautiful thing to come back here. It’s beautiful to see the people. We’ve all grown older, and we all have the same memories.”

“My parents didn’t have a lot of money. But sending us to this school was incredibly important to them, and I think they had to skimp a lot in order to get us here, and they did. They wanted us here for at least eight years.”

And some of the lessons were not just in the classroom.

“I remember cleaning the rooms, I remember cleaning the convent,” Dr. Hopstock said. “They taught us how to clean from the top down. And they always told us, ‘what you’re cleaning with has to be cleaner than what you’re cleaning. I think that’s helped me out with my marriage.”

Dinner was catered by “Hosted by Howell” from Allentown.

Those associated with the school gathered on the front steps of the building for a group photo.