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Bensonia Cemetery. formerly located at the Junction of St. Ann's and Brook Avenues
Bird's-Eye View of the New York Catholic Protectory
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Industrial Building, Male Department
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CHAPTER XXXV
CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
New York Catholic Protectory-Its Aims, Influence and Work-Ursuline Academy -St. John's University at Fordham-Sacred Heart Academy-Manhattan College
Perhaps no institution has had a greater influence in mold- ing the career of many a man or woman than the New York Catholic Protectory at Westchester. Conceived by Archbishop John Hughes, through the labors of the Brothers of the Chris- tian Schools, with the aid of many prominent men who sought to save wayward juveniles from the snares of the great city, the movement took a decided shape on February 11, 1863. when the preliminary steps were taken to organize for the purpose of sav- ing the waifs who nightly might be seen hanging over the grat- ings of the downtown newspaper pressrooms, thinly clad and emaciated, seeking to nurse the vital spark of life by the genial heat arising from the engine room beneath the pavements. These "gamins" of the streets, as the Parisian terms them, are de- nominated by some as outcasts, while the more charitable termi them destitute children.
On April 14, 1863, the Legislature of the State of New York granted a charter to "The Society for the Protecnon of Desti- tute Koman Catholic Children in the City of New York," em- powering ine corporation to take and receive into its care children under the age of fourteen years who, by consent in writing of their parents or guardians, may be intrusted to n for protection or reformation; children between seven and fourten years of age who may be committed to the care of the corporation as idle, truant, vicious or homeless children, by order of any magistrate in the city empowered to commit for any such cause; chnaren of the like ages who may be transferred to such cor- poration at the option of the commissioners of public charities and correction ; the corporation to place the children in its care at suitable employment and cause them to be instructed in suit- able branches of useful knowledge, with discretion also to "bind" them out.
Like all truly great religious and benevolent enterprises, the beginning of the present Protectory was on a somewhat limned scale in its inception, but the urgent need for this work soon caused enlargement of the buildings wherein the aims of the corporation were carried on.
As the early years of this benevolence rolled around the necessity of removing the institution from the city became ap- parent, owing to the lack of room, and accordingly on June 9. 1865, 114 acres of farm land at Westchester, with barns and outhouses were purchased for $40,000,, and soon was begun the erection of a spacious brick building to accommodate from 600 to 800 destitute boys, and the following year a building of equal proportion was begun for the housing of the girls which the Brothers had taken under their charge.
"Idleness is the mother of all mischief." has been truly ob- served by students of human nature, and here in this thriving have of industry the various trades are taught which in after
years enable the inmates to battle in the struggle of life fully equipped to enter the various channels that are open to the thrifty.
Among the various pursuits which are taught by competent instructors are printing, stereotyping. tailoring, shoemaking, bak- ing, carpentering, blacksunthing, chair caning, wheelwrighting. machinist, farming and gardening. About 800 pairs of shoes a day is the output of the shoe factory, while the other branches of industry make a commendable showing.
The boys of the institution have a fire department which has proved of invaluable assistance at various times, notably on July 25. 1875, when the building occupied by the girls was de- stroyed by fire, the flames were confined to that one of the many buildings which form a part of this miniature city.
The needs of such a large population as are housed in the buildings of the Protectory required the establishment of an in- firmary for those who needed medical attention, and the segre- gation of sick ones from the others, and in 1878 a well appointed hospital was in existence.
Ample recreation grounds have been provided for both the larger and smaller inmates, for those in charge fully recognize the truth of the old saw "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" -- and it might be added, girl.
Who has not heard of the Protectory Band? This aggrega- tion of musicians has won an enviable reputation in the musica! world through the artistic manner in which it renders the works of the great composers. On many great public occasions these juveniles have vied with the famous bands in holding the at- tention of their vast audiences with great credit to themselves and their band master.
As this sketch has already outgrown the proportions in- tended, we will condense into a few paragraphs some of the principal happenings from 1885 to the present year of grace 1905.
Owing to the ever-increasing number of children committed to the care of the institution, it was found necessary to open new class rooms, dormitories and recreation centres. These were supplied according as they were needed, so that to-day classification is abont as perfect as it can very well be.
In 1897 a large chapel and assembly hall were erected for the male department, each of which can accommodate 2.500 boys. The hall is used for all public exercises and exhibitions. and as a place where the inmates can receive their parents and friends on visiting days. The chapel is of the Gothic style of ar- chitecture, and is a lasting monument to friends and benefactors. The beautiful marble altars and handsome organ are the g.i:s of the late Mr. Bryan Lawrence.
A large industrial building was also erected in which are
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N.Y.C.P. PHOTO CLASS.
SCHOOL BUILDING
1. Drill 2. Physician's Office. 2. Pand Room. 4. Orchestra.] 5. Reading Room
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CHAPELAND ASSEMBLY FALL.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
housed the different trades carried on in the institution. These new buildings relieved the congestion found in some departments.
Since the days the doors of the Protectory opened to the triendless and wayward children of New York City and the counties adjacent, it has sheltered, cared for and educated more than 40,000 boys and girls. It may be added here that this has not been done solely at public expense. Many imagine that the Protectory buildings have been erected and the institution sup- ported from State and city funds. To those we would say that up to date the Protectory has received, outside of State and city moneys, from private charitable sources the princely sum of two millions of dollars.
The very few deaths and the slight amount of sickness oc- curring in the institution, year after year since the opening, are due to the sanitary excellence of the grounds and buildings, to the food and the healthful recreation; to the large and well- ventilated dormitories; and to the watchful and intelligent care of the Brothers, Sisters and corps of able physicians.
For many years some of the boys discharged from the Pro- tectory, having no proper homes to go to, drifted into the cheap
When a boy's character is firmly established and he is earning a sufficient sum to enable him to board in respectable families. he leaves St. Philip's and goes to his newly-found home. It is then only that he faces the stern realities of life.
From the beginning the Christian Brothers have directed the destinies of the Protectory, and to this body of self-sacrificing men aided by the board of managers, composed of prominent Catholic gentlemen, the wonderful success of the work is solely due.
Rev. Brother Teliow was the first director, and to him fel the always arduous labor of organizing the various elements of which the institution was composed. This work could not have fallen in better hands. Brother Teliow took hold with firmness skill, zeal and a determination which no obstacles could with- stand, and which resulted in placing the Protectory, almost fron: its inception, abreast of all similar institutions.
His immediate successors. Rev. Brothers Stephen. Hugh. Adrian, and Candidus, all men of experience and ability, car- ried on the work as planned by him, and devoted themselve. loyally to the care, maintenance and education of their charges.
Main Entrance from Westchester Avenue
lodging and boarding houses of the city, where they adopted habits of idleness, formed dangerous associations, and eventually a few found their way into penal institutions. It was dis- couraging to see the young boy, after years of careful training and tuition, take the downward path so early in life. The small- ness of the wage he had received had as much to do with this as any other cause.
To stem this tide of evil, St. Philip's Home for Industrious Roy, was established in 1901 at 415 and 417. Broome Street. Man- buttan. The home is a branch of the Protectory, and is conducted by the Christian Brothers. The arrangement and government are as near as possible those that prevail in a well-regulated family. The boys are placed on their honor and dealt with in a gentlemanly way, Positions are obtained for them, and from their earnings a small sim is required for their maintenance. The boys are encouraged to economize; taught how to purchase the articles they require; and to distinguish necessities from 'usuri . This makes the boy self-reliant, habituales him to self- upport, and induces him to achieve success on his own merits.
In 1885 the reins of government fell to the hands of Rer Brother Leontine, who brought to his new post of duty a zea! and enthusiasm unsurpassed. and under whom the Protectory became the leading institution of its kind in the world. Bro. Leontine remained in power until his death. April 2. 1904. and was succeeded by the present director, Rev. Brother frenzy. At the time of his appointment Bro. Henry was no stranger to the spirit, genius and workings of the institution, nor to the micans and methods employed to raise it to its present exalted standard of efficiency and usefulness. During the three years prior to Bro. Leontine's death, he was the able assistant and close friend of the late Superior whose magnificent plan of government he en- ergetically carried out. Like his lamented predecessor, he has the force and strength of character needed to govern the grea: and peculiar army of boys committed to his care, combined with that kindness and sweetness of disposition to secure and 32; their esteem and affection. Under las wise and prudent god . the Protectory is sure to continue its beneficent work .f . education and training of neglected youth. His kindness at!
The Catholic Protectory Band
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Sacred Heart Academy
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
charity are not confined to boys of the Catholic faith. These virtues are equally displayed towards those of the Protestant and Hebrew beliefs. Letters testifying to this come to him daily from non-Catholic parents.
Here is one from a Hebrew gentleman in Savannah, Ga., under date of August 9, 1905: "My brother, who has just re- turned from New York, tells nie of the good reports you gave hiim of my son, and also the marked improvement he saw in him. I thank God for this, and you also, my good and noble Brother; for it is through your good counsel to my son that our heavenly Father is causing this great good to be accomplished. God grant that ere he leaves you, you will so inculcate your own goodness into him that he will never more go astray."
This rapid sketch of the origin, progress and development of the New York Catholic Protectory indicates but some of the main features of the workings of the institution, which seeks the welfare and comfort of those whose lot, if neglected, might be destitution, misery and crime, and whose protection and ele- vation is the saving of that most impressionable, interesting and beautiful object of enlightened and civilized life-the child.
SACRED HEART ACADEMY .- The Religieuse of the Sacred Heart who have recently purchased the property in the Bronx known as the Ogden estate or Boscobel Villa, belong to an order which first came to New York from Louisiana in 1841, at the invitation of Archbishop Hughes, whose zeal for education led him to visit the Venerable Mother Baret in Paris and beg for a colony of her daughters to undertake the training of young ladies in his episcopal city. For this purpose he offered a house formerly occupied by the school of Mme. Chegary in Houston Street, to which a band of religieuse soon came under the guidance of Mother Aloysia Hardey and Mother Galitzin, niece of the famous Russian Prince and Missionary, Father Demetrius Galitzin, who labored successfully in Pennsylvania, where his name is still held in veneration. The school was transferred in 1844 to 114 Bleecker Street, whence, owing to the growth of the city, it removed later to West Fourteenth Street and in Septem- ber, 1854, to 49 West Seventcentli Street, where for over fifty years it has been recognized as a centre of education and good works. But as business has more and more taken possession of that part of the city, it seemed desirable to move higher up town, and after long consideration, the religieuse decided to accept the very advantageous offer of the estate before mentioned on Uni- versity Heights, where they have opened a day school.
FORDIIAM UNIVERSITY-HISTORICAL STATEMENT.
The formal opening of Fordliam College took place in June 24, 1841. The following September the doors were thrown open to half a dozen students, but before the close of the academic year the number had been considerably increased. The insti- tution was founded by Archbishop Hughes, and was for five years under the direction of the secular priests, with Dr. McCloskey, the first American cardinal, as its first president. The steady growth of the college soon rendered it advisable to apply for articles of incorporation ; and on April 10, 1846, the act of incor- poration was passed, whereby St. John's College was raised to the rank of a university, with the power "to confer such literary honors, degrees, or diplomas as are usually granted by any uni- versity, college or seminary of learning in the United States." About this time Archbishop Hughes, the founder, decided to entrust the management of the college to some religions order devoted to educational work, and for this purpose he opened communications with the Jesuits who had charge of St. Mary's College, Kentucky, with the result that the following year the
faculty of St. Mary's succeeded the secular priests in the ad- ministration of the college. Since then the work has been carried on solely by the Jesuits.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
The college grounds extend over seventy acres. The picturesque country for miles around, the notably healthy cli- mate. the vast reaches of lawn and rich farm lands surrounding the college buildings present an ideal rural scene and afford the seclusion necessary for a seat of learning. But those who ad- mire our extensive campus and lawns and farm lands and noble trees, may not be aware that our city rental for the last ten years alone amounts to $50.663.52. Hence, during these years an average of over $5.000 has been annually paid to the city au- thorities in assessments and taxes. The city's bill against the college for the current year's improvement of property in the vicinity is $6,293.09. The coming few years promise to be equally prolific in extraordinary taxes. This yearly outlay to- gether with the interest on our debt, which was contracted in former building operations, must be met by the income derived from our students' tuition fees. Our sole endowment. if such it may be called, is represented by the twelve scholarship funds permanently established. And the few and small unconditioned donations received, and gratefully acknowledged whenever the opportunity offers, do not as yet compare favorably with the annual or monthly records of other both denominational and secular educational institutions of equal size. Between the years 1865 and 1870, $10,147 was donated for the construction of Senior Hall, and in 1891, for the new Faculty Hall, a friend contributed $15,000.
There are nine university buildings. Five of these build- ings are used for purpose of instruction, accommodation of resi- dent students. etc., the remaining four being the University Chapel, the Faculty Hall, Armory Hall and the offices for the directors of the university.
THE NEW ROSE HILL MANOR.
This structure, erected in 1838, and the oldest building of any importance now at Fordham, was so designated to dis- tinguish it from the old Rose Hill Manor-the original build- ing of the estate-which dated back to ante-revolutionary days. Formerly, the entire work of the college was carried on within its walls ; but in 1860, when the purchase of St. John's Hall was effected, some of the classes were transferred. In the new Rose Till Manor are now located the executive offices of the university. including the president's office, the offices of the vice-president, the treasurer and the registrar ; also the tastefully decorated re- ception rooms.
ST. JOHN'S HALL.
St. Jolin's Hall, originally the diocesan seminary, was long used as a science hall, but the marked growth of the college necessitated the erection of other buildings. Accordingly, in 1885 it was fitted up for the accommodation of the small boys. The hall in its present arrangement contains three spacious dormitories, two parlors, a reading room, a study hall, and a music room. Careful and abundant provision has been made for heat. light and ventilation. The extensive playground facing the Botanical Gardens in Bronx Park affords ample opportuni- ties for all kinds of physical exercise.
THE COLLEGE CHAPEL.
Adjoining St. John's Hall is the College Chapel. One of the handsomest edifices of its kind in New York, it is of Gothic
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St. John's Hal , Fordham Universi.y
Junior Hall, Fordham University
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The Can.pus, Fordham University
Senior Hatt. Fordham University
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
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architecture, is richly frescoed and contains six valuable stained windows. These were at first intended for St. Patrick's Cathedral, but as they did not fit, they were handed over to the church at Fordham. They represent St. Peter and St. Paul, and tlre four Evangelists. The coloring is as soft and fresh to-day as ever ..
SENIOR HALL.
Senior Hall, 136 feet by 60 feet, was erected in 1865. better to accommodate the growing school, and to relieve the crowded rooms of the other buildings. It is set apart for the use of the students of the college department. The first floor contains the recreation, the reading and the billiard rooms. On the second floor are situated the lecture rooms of the college classes. The three upper stories are reserved for the private apartments of the students. Immediately adjoining is the college campus.
SCIENCE HALL.
This building, 123 feet by 50 feet. is of blue stone trimmed with white marble. It contains the boilers and the electric plant for lighting the college, the students' library. the lecture rooms for physics and chemistry, the general and private laboratories. the cabinet and the museum. The building was begun in 1885 and was finished in 1886.
JUNIOR HALL.
Junior Hall is almost the exact counterpart of Senior Hall. It was built in 1889, and is 140 feet by 60 feet. The large play- ground in the rear, the class rooms, the study hall, the dorinitory, the students' rooms, etc., are reserved for the exclusive use of the high school students. Here, too, is the office of the com- mandant ; also that of the chief disciplinarian.
FACULTY HALL.
Like Junior and Senior Halls this building is made of blue stone with white marble trimmings. It was completed in 1891. It has five stories, is 170 feet by 50 feet, and contains the stu- dents' refectory, and the rooms of the faculty. It also contains a smaller chapel for the students, 75 feet by 50 feet, two stories high, and adorned with three beautifully carved altars and an altar screen, and with thirteen precious stained glass windows. The daily services are usually held here.
ARMORY IIALL.
This building is a two-story structure. The basement is built of concrete and is fitted up according to army regulations for target practice. The large room, extending the length of the main floor, is the armory proper. On the floor above is a class room, where a course of lectures on discipline, military hygiene and etiquette, military history and kindred subjects is regularly given.
COLLEGE HALL.
College Hall is the latest addition to the college buildings. I. faces the south and is a four-story structure, built of brick and trimmed with terra cotta mouldings. Its length is 140 feet and its width 69 feet. The main corridor leads to eight elass rooms, each of which, twenty-seven feet square, is fitted up with all the latest appliances of modern schoolrooms, and tastefully finished in quartered oak. The second floor contains the audi- torium, extending throughout the length of the buikling, ocet- "ring the full sweep of two stories with the height of 42 feet. und having a seating capacity of one thousand It has a spa- Cous stage and twelve adjoining dressing rooms. The gallery
entrance on the fourth floor has a seating capacity of four hun- dred. The basement contains a large play room, with bath and boiler rooms adjoining.
COURSES OF STUDY.
The university includes three departments-the Department of Philosophy and Arts, the Department of Medicine and the Department of Law. In the Department of Philosophy and Arts are included the academic departments of the classical and non-classical courses. These courses cover four years and lead, the former to the degree of A.B., the latter to that of B.S. The classical course embraces, besides the Latin and Greek chissic and English history, one modern language, mathematics, chem- istry, geology, astronomy, mechanics and a thorough training in physics and philosophy. The optional studies are calculus, ana- lytical chemistry, physics, higher laboratory work, modern languages, biology, pedagogics. The non-classical course is in- tended for those who desire a sound education without the study of Latin and Greek classics. Latin and Greek are replaced by additional studies in modern languages, science and mathematics. The optional studies are the same as in the classical course.
The medical school offers a four-year course leading to the degree of M.D. The standard of the school is based upon one ycar of college work. All candidates must present a medical students' certificate of the regents of the University of the State of New York, showing that the candidate has completed at least the freshman year in a college registered by the regents as main- taining a satisfactory standard. The Science Hall, to which an addition has been made, will temporarily answer the purposes of a medical building. It will contain large and well-lighted lecture rooms, chemical, histological and bacteriological laboratories, and a dissecting room. Special attention is called to the advantages possessed by the students in having the Fordham Hospital situ- ated on the grounds.
The course of the law school covers a period of three years and leads to the degree of LL. B. Candidates must have com- pleted a satisfactory high school course. The lecture rooms, debating hall and library are situated on West 16th Street, be- tween Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Prominent lawyers and judges. authorities on their special subjects, have consented to give courses of lectures during the year.
High School Department-The High School Department of the classical course extends over four years, the studies being so graded as to form a preparation for the college. That of the non-classical department covers a like period. Though this de- partment does not undertake to instruct the student in actual business practice, all that is absolutely necessary for commercial purposes can be learned.
Grammar Department-There are three classes in this de- partment, arranged for those students who are not old enough. or not far enough advanced, to enter the high school department. Such students are supposed to have reached in their previous studies the second highest grade of the public grammar school. The course embraces reading, writing, spelling, grammar, ele- mentary composition, history, geography and arithmetic.
LIBRARIES.
The college library contains 40,000 volumes, among which are counted rich collections of works on history, and of periodical literature. It possesses, also, the famous Gambosville library. which for works on ancient and modern art is the largest and most valuable collection in the country. Besides the college library, there is also the circulating library, containing over
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