USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Catholicity in northern Ohio and in the diocese of Cleveland from 1749 to December 31, 1900, Volume I, pt2 > Part 30
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For the greater accommodation of the children of the Cathedral parish the nuns erected two one-story brick buildings,
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
extending the length of the convent grounds on Euclid avenue; these served as the parochial school for girls until 1867.
In 1853 Bishop Rappe obtained from Rome for the Ursulines of his diocese a dispensation from the strict observance of the cloister, in order that they might take charge of the parish schools throughout the city. In October, 1853, the Ursulines opened St. Patrick's parochial school for girls. The school-house then situ- ated on Fulton street, near the Circle, was a two-story brick building, with two large class rooms on each floor. On the first day the three teachers appointed for the new mission found on their arrival at the school a large number of children awaiting them; these were soon graded and work was immediately begun.
Of the convent buildings which had to be erected from time to time, the chapel was the principal one. This was a three-story brick structure, 30 by 80 feet, adjoining the main building on the rear. The chapel, sacristy, organ loft and an ante-chapel, occupied the two upper stories, the first floor was used for school rooms, and a basement, extending the entire length of the new building, served for refectories.
Under Bishop Rappe's direction the Ursuline Convent at Toledo was founded in December, 1854, by a colony of six professed nuns from the Cleveland community, and Mother des Seraphines, one of the pioneers, was appointed Superioress.
Bishop Rappe again called on the community to extend its work. A colony of five professed nuns and a novice, with Mother Mary Joseph as Superioress, was therefore sent to Tiffin, in September, 1863, to found there an Ursuline Convent ; and eleven years later, at the request of Bishop Gilmour, the Ursuline Convent of Youngstown was established by six professed nuns from the community of Cleveland.
In 1874, Bishop Gilmour advised the Cleveland Ursulines to remove their boarding school beyond the confines of the city, directing them to the Gilbert estate on the Lake front, near Nottingham. In order to pay the heavy debt incurred by the purchase of this property and to erect the necessary buildings, the Sisters were obliged to borrow a large sum of money. The interest on the loan nearly overwhelmed the Institution,* whose income had been greatly reduced by the "hard times," due to the financial crisis of 1873. But Divine Providence did not forsake the Sisters, for the saintly Bishop Rappe who died in Vermont, in 1877, bequeathed to them a munificent legacy in consideration of the fact that for seventeen years they had maintained at their own expense the Cathedral parochial school for girls. Though
*It was incorporated in 1872, with power to confer the usual Academic degrees.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
the legacy did not cancel the debt, yet it was so reduced that the community could easily meet the interest as it became due.
Bishop Brondel, of Helena, Montana, appealed to Bishop Gilmour for Sisters to help the struggling Ursulines laboring among the Indians of Montana. Three Ursuline nuns of the Cleveland community generously offered themselves for the ardu- ous mission, one going there in October, 1884, and the others in March, 1886.
It had become quite apparent that the convent property on Euclid avenue, owing to the want of room and the advance of trade, was no longer suitable for the Sisters and their work. With the sanction of Bishop Gilmour its sale was accordingly decided on by the community, in May, 1890. Soon after a sale was effected, with the condition stipulated that the Sisters were to have the use of the Convent for three years, rent free, and to receive a part of the purchase price at once. The money then received was used to pay off the community debt, and to buy five lots for a new Ursuline Convent and Academy at the corner of Willson and Scovill avenues. The plans for the new building were approved in 1892 by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann. The present magnificent edifice was ready for the opening of school in September, 1893, and the first Mass was said in the community room on the 24th of the same month. On November 25, 1893, the Holy Sacrifice was offered for the first time in the new chapel of St. Ursula by Bishop Horstmann, who blessed the house on the same day. Two additional lots, with a frontage of 80 feet on Scovill avenue, adjoining the convent grounds on the west, were bought by the community in 1899. The wisdom of selecting the new location for the academy is proved by the large number of pupils in attendance, also by the facilities afforded the teachers for reaching their schools in the various parts of the city.
The fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the pioneer Ursulines in Cleveland was celebrated in 1900. On August 8, 1900, Bishop Horstmann celebrated Pontifical High Mass of thanksgiving in the chapel of St. Ursula. About sixty priests, . forty-five sisters from Villa Angela, and representatives from the Ursuline Convents of Toledo, Tiffin and Youngstown, as also from many Religious Orders in Cleveland, assisted at the impres- sive ceremony. On the next day a solemn High Mass of Requiem was celebrated for the deceased Religious, among whom are numbered all the members of the pioneer band. On the last day of the celebration the Holy Sacrifice was offered for the living members of the community, their relatives. benefactors, friends and pupils. The celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Ursuline
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community in Cleveland was a fitting close of a half century of fruitful work for God's glory and Christian education.
Following is a list of the Mothers Superior: Mother M. Annunciation, from July, 1850, to August, 1866 ; August, 1869, to August, 1875; November, 1878, till.her death, on March 9, 1881; Mother M. Austin, from August, 1866, to August, 1869; August, 1875, to November, 1878; March, 1881, to July, 1884; Mother M. Immaculate Conception, from July, 1884, to July, 1890; July, 1893, to July, 1899 ; Mother M. Liguori, from July, 1890, to July, 1893, and Mother M. Peter, since July, 1899.
LOUISVILLE.
ST. LOUIS' COLLEGE.
This Institution was opened in September, 1866, for the reception of students desirous of preparing for the Sacred Ministry, or for commercial life. It was begun in 1864, under the supervision of the Rev. Louis Hoffer, pastor of Louisville, and cost about $10,000. Of this sum Father Hoffer collected nearly $5,000 in France, whither he went for that purpose. The people of Louisville also gave much of the building material and labor without charge, besides paying nearly $3,000. It is a note- worthy fact that the women of the parish carried nearly all the brick used in the building. The balance of the amount expended for the building remained a burdensome debt for a number of years.
Among the students first enrolled at St. Louis' College there were about twenty who had been at the college connected with St. Mary's Seminary, Cleveland, which was closed in June, 1866. Although glad to leave the old building, they were much disap- pointed when they saw their new college home located in the village of Louisville. It was a place of which they had heard little or nothing before their arrival there and for which they conceived no liking after their arrival. They found a compara- tively large but still incomplete brick building, and small college grounds, which precluded the possibility of strenuous out-of-door exercise near the Institution, such as only college boys can and do enjoy.
The Rev. Julius Clement was the first Superior and one of the professors of the college. He had as his assistant the Rev. B. Quinn and Messrs. N. A. Moes, W. J. Gibbons and E. J. Conway, who had finished their Theological course of studies at the diocesan seminary but were too young to be ordained.
The students were a motley collection, ranging in age from
ST. JOSEPH'S SEMINARY (FOR YOUNG BOYS), NOTTINGHAM.
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10 to 30 years, and representing various races and climes. But, withal, they were as a band of brothers, each earnest in the pursuit of knowledge, or fair rivals in college games or sports.
In September, 1867. Bishop Rappe placed the college under the direction of the Basilian Fathers, from Toronto, Canada, with the Rev. Francis Hours as Superior, and the Revs. Francis Walsh, Michael Mulcahey, Leo Cherrier, Joseph J. Aboulin and Michael Ferguson as professors. For six years the Basilian Fathers struggled against the discouragement of a poor attendance of students, and finally had to abandon and close the college in June, 1873. This result however was not unexpected, as from the very outset the college was looked upon with disfavor by a large number of the clergy and laity of the diocese, owing to its location in a small town, difficult of access and devoid of city attractions and conveniences. This disfavor was succeeded by lack of sup- port, which of necessity led ultimately to the closing of the college.
LOUISVILLE. ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY.
After St. Louis' College was abandoned by the Basilian Fathers, in June, 1873, the building remained closed for two months. It was then, at the request of Bishop Gilmour, that the Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary, from Cleveland, agreed to re-open the building as a boarding school for girls and young women. The name was changed to St. Joseph's Academy, but this transformation again resulted in a failure, as the average annual attendance did not exceed eighteen boarding pupils. In consequence the Academy was closed in June, 1878. In the following September the same community opened a school for deafmutes, but it also proved a failure for want of support and was closed in June, 1883. This was the last venture to make a success of the college building as an educational Institute.
NOTTINGHAM. ST. JOSEPH'S SEMINARY FOR YOUNG BOYS.
Although amply provided with institutions devoted to the care and education of girls, the diocese of Cleveland had no boarding school for little boys within its extensive limits, prior to 1886. Many felt this necessity, and often expressed the wish that such provision be made. Bishop Gilmour especially appreciated this want and had it in view when, in April, 1886, he urged the Ursulines to buy the 27 acres adjoining the Villa Angela property. He considered it an ideal place for the proposed Institution, where
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the little boys would receive the training they needed during their early years. Therefore, at the Bishop's request, the Ursulines consented to establish the boarding school.
On the land bought by the Sisters was a two-story frame building. With some additions it was suitably and quickly fitted up for the beginning of school, in September, 1886. It was placed under the protection of St. Joseph, and was named "St. Joseph's Seminary for Young Boys."
On September 3, 1886, the late Rev. Anthony Martin, of Euclid, blessed the house and said the first Holy Mass in a small room on the second floor. Five days later the school was opened and a High Mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, V.G. In the following October a larger room was appropriated for a chapel. The school steadily grew and prospered. Bishop Gilmour seeing the need of more ample accommodations advised the erection of a new building ;. he approved of the plans in January, 1891.
The first stone in the foundation of the new St. Joseph's Seminary was laid on April 13, 1891, the very day Bishop Gilmour died in Florida. The building was completed in February, 1892, and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, on March 6. The beautiful chapel was placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1892, the class rooms were opened to the pupils.
Special attention is given to the preparation of the boys for First Communion. Before they leave the school, they usually receive the Sacrament of Confirmation also. Considering their youth, the boys of St. Joseph's are well equipped both intellec- tually and spiritually, and carry away with them many happy recollections of their stay at the little seminary, where many have spent some of boyhood's happiest days.
Mother Mary Ascension was placed in charge of St. Joseph's Seminary as local Superioress, from the day of its opening. She was well fitted by her long experience with young people, as well as by her superior education and general ability to make the work a success; and so it proved to be from the very outset. But soon after beginning work at St. Joseph's her health visibly declined. She bore up with heroic courage until disease com- pelled her to give up the work. She died a most edifying death. on December 29, 1894, at the Ursuline Convent in Cleveland. Her remains were interred in the community vault at Villa Angela. She was succeeded by the present local Superioress, Mother M. Joseph.
The impetus given by Mother Ascension still shows itself in . the thoroughness of the instruction and training at St. Joseph's,
URSULINE ACADEMY, VILLA ANGELA, NOTTINGHAM.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
the curriculum embracing all the branches of an elementary and grammar school education.
From the opening of the school, the study of Catechism has been encouraged by giving, at the close of each scholastic year, a gold cross to the most deserving boy in the first and second Catechism classes. Gold medals are also awarded for deportment, spelling, etc., the donors being members of the diocesan clergy. To these and other kind friends the teachers are much indebted for aid received in various forms, that proved helpful in their educational work.
NOTTINGHAM.
URSULINE ACADEMY, VILLA ANGELA.
In September, 1878, the Ursuline Boarding School, now known as Villa Angela, was removed from Cleveland to its present beautiful location on the shore of Lake Erie. This event, momentous for the Cleveland Ursuline foundation, was brought about by the pressure of circumstances and under the direction of Bishop Gilmour. For some time prior to 1878, the gradual advance of trade had taken from the locality surrounding the Academy on Euclid avenue, that quiet and seclusion which the community had enjoyed for many years following the purchase of the property in 1850; also the several buildings erected grew inadequate to accommodate the growing community and its work. Bishop Gilmour, observing early in 1874 this condition of things, urged the advisability of removing the boarding school to the suburbs of the city. The search for a suitable location having been entered upon, the Bishop himself directed the Sisters to the very site of the Villa Angela property, then known as "Camp Gilbert."
Improvements and preparations for building were soon begun and the west wing of the proposed building was completed in 1878. The first Holy Mass was offered in the new building July 16, 1878, and since that time the Sacramental Presence has never been removed from Villa Angela.
On September 8, 1878, the boarding school was opened at the Villa, and shortly after also a school for day scholars. The latter was continued for three years, when for want of sufficient accom- modations it was discontinued. The day school did a good work, as the children, who attended it, came from a neighborhood notably anti-Catholic. They were instrumental in removing deeply-rooted prejudices, by implanting in the hearts of many, respect for the Religious and appreciation of their work.
The Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff was appointed resident chaplain of
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Villa Angela in December, 1878. There he has resided ever since as spiritual director and as the esteemed friend and benefactor of the institution. During the four months preceding Mgr. Boff's appointment, the Rev. Anthony Martin, pastor of St. Paul's church, Euclid, said Mass as often as his home duties allowed. For Father Martin's unvaried and continued kindness, the Ursulines will always remain deeply indebted.
When the Gilbert property was bought, it was a treeless tract of ground, excepting the banks of Euclid Creek running through it, and a part of what is now Maple avenue, but by the end of 1879 the walks were laid out, and fruit, shade and orna- mental trees planted.
For the first commencement exercises, held on July 2, 1879, a temporary hall was erected. Bishop Gilmour, in his own felicitous manner, congratulated the teachers and graduates on the good work done, and of which he said: "The exercises were an evidence and at the same time an earnest of that which will follow." In speaking to. the Sisters later, relative to the com- mencement program and the large and appreciative audience, he used these words: "You have made your mark; you have established yourselves."
The heating apparatus (hot air furnace) first used at Villa Angela, was replaced by a steam plant in 1886. The erection and equipment of a steam laundry and various other small departments followed. The first gas well, over one thousand feet deep, was drilled in 1886. It has been a veritable boon to the owners as a time and money saver.
In 1895 the temporary chapel was enlarged and renovated and the auditorium building erected. This last contains a hall with a capacity of seating about six hundred persons; also music rooms, two large dormitories, a library and reference room.
From the very beginning Christian Doctrine received special attention and generous encouragement through the zeal of the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, V. G. A further impetus was given this study, when, at the commencement exercises of 1895. the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann announced his intention of giving an examination in Christian Doctrine to the senior pupils before the close of each scholastic year and awarding to the writer of the best essay a gold cross. On the same occasion Mgr. Boff. who for the preceding years had awarded a gold cross for Christian Doc- trine, now generously transferred his beautiful gift to the Junior Catechism Class.
Besides the Rt. Rev. Bishop and Mgr. Boff, many of the reverend clergy and other well-wishers have befriended the institution by offering yearly prizes for excellence in deportment.
URSULINE CONVENT AND ACADEMY, TIFFIN
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domestic economy and other branches of study; to all these the Ursulines are deeply grateful.
Until 1884, Villa Angela had for its first local Superioress Mother Mary, who very successfully directed its affairs since the opening of the Institution, in 1878. She was succeeded in August, 1884, by Mother Mary Louis, who since that time has been in charge.
The equipment of an educational institution in appliances used to aid, promote and facilitate its work is a necessity, but a very costly necessity. At Villa Angela these furnishings have been gradual but steady. They consist of physical, chemical and astronomical apparatus, natural history cabinets, maps, charts and globes, to all of which additions are constantly being made. A select library of over five thousand volumes is available to the students.
All these literary and scientific equipments are furnished by the Institution, which is without scholarships or endowments. In spite, however, of this financial drawback Villa Angela is steadily progressing and adding lustre continually to its well established reputation, for giving its pupils a thorough Christian education.
TIFFIN.
URSULINE ACADEMY AND CONVENT.
This flourishing Institution is a fruitful graft from the Ursu- line Convent of Cleveland with which it has ever been closely connected.
The Catholics of Tiffin feeling the need of efficient instructors for their children, the Revs. J. L. Bihn and M. Healy, pastors of the respective congregations of St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, applied to Bishop Rappe and obtained from him a small colony of Ursu- lines consisting of Mother M. Joseph, who was appointed Supe- rioress, Mother M. Maxime, Sister M. Alexis (a novice), now Assistant Superioress of Cleveland Convent, and Sister Scholastica. On Monday, September 28, 1863, this devoted little band accom- panied by Mother M. Annunciation, at that time superioress of the Ursulines of Cleveland, arrived in Tiffin. Father Bihn having rented rooms for himself in the home of one of his parishioners, the Sisters moved into the pastoral residence where they remained six months, awaiting possession of the house purchased for them the previous spring. St. Mary's church donated $1,000, and St. Joseph's $2,000 towards the purchase of the property: it forms part of the present convent grounds. In September, 1863, the Ursulines took charge of St. Joseph's school, and one year later
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St. Mary's school was also placed under the care of the same com- munity.
On October 5, 1863, in one of the rooms of St. Joseph's pas- toral residence, the Ursulines opened their select school, the germ of that institution which has proved a boon for Tiffin. It has kept pace with the growth of the beautiful little city itself, whilst its influence has been spread far and wide, by the noble women who have been educated within its walls. Of the seven pupils that formed the first day's attendance, three are now, and have been for many years, useful members of the community, viz., Mother M. Liguori, the present Superioress, Sister M. Ursula, and Sister Margaret Mary.
In April, 1864, the community removed to its present loca- tion, which at that time was wild and lonely. The dwellings on the property consisted of a number of low-roofed frame houses. A small room 12 feet square and 8 feet high was fitted up for a chapel where the first Mass was celebrated on the feast of the Sacred Heart, 1864. The apartment used as a schoolroom was of the same dimensions, only one-half foot higher. The small, incon- venient and primitive chapel and school room were used until September, 1865. A two-story brick building was erected during the summer of that year. The upper story was fitted up as a neat chapel and the lower as a well equipped school room.
Early in September, 1865, Mother M. Joseph, the beloved Superioress, became seriously ill of typhoid fever, and died on the following October 25. She was a model Religious, and her death was deeply mourned. She was succeeded on November 10, 1865, by Mother M. Ignatius, who was sent by the Cleveland Ursulines, with Bishop Rappe's approval. Most successfully she guided the destinies of her community, with the exception of one term of office (3 years), until April 2, 1897, when she passed to her eternal reward.
The names of Mothers Joseph and Ignatius will ever be held in benediction by their Sisters in religion, by the people of Tiffin, as well as by their numerous pupils, for their self-sacrifice and all-embracing charity.
In the latter part of June. 1873, the last of the Cleveland Ursulines returned to their Motherhouse, leaving the Tiffin com- munity, then numbering fourteen members, the legacy of their good example.
The Academy was incorporated in 1878, with power to confer degrees and award diplomas. For over twenty years graduates have annually gone forth from their Alma Mater to take the places assigned to them by Divine Providence, and they have thus far been a credit to the Institution.
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Mother M. Ignatius was succeeded in April, 1897, by Mother M. Liguori, the present Superioress. She is well qualified by experience for the responsible office she now (1900) holds, as she had been filling the office of Assistant for a number of years, besides having had full charge for a long time of all matters per- taining to the Academy. The latter she has most successfully directed as principal, and has been largely instrumental in bringing it up to its present high standard of efficiency.
The present imposing Convent and Academy buildings were erected at different times, as the needs of the community and the schools required them. The large square brick building, crowned with a cupola-the joy of the astronomy class-was erected in 1870. The wing adjoining it, and extending 100 feet on Madison street, was built in 1887. The splendid three-story building- now the Academy proper-fronts on Jefferson street and stands on the site of the old structure, erected in 1864. It was completed in June, 1898, and is devoted exclusively to the use of the pupils. Extending along Tiffin street, and adjoining this new building, is the pretty edifice containing the present handsome chapel and spacious auditorium. All these slate-roofed three-story brick buildings form a harmonious whole, and are an ornament to the city. They are provided with all the modern conveniences and improvements, conducive to the health and comfort of the Sisters and pupils.
The Academy and Convent are in a flourishing condition and have a promising future.
TOLEDO. ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.
Toledo had early provided for the higher education of young women in the Ursuline Academy, but the young men were not so fortunate. Catholic parents who wished to give their sons the advantages of a college training were obliged, at considerable expense, to send them a distance from home. The clergy and laity of Toledo repeatedly and publicly expressed their earnest desire of having a college for young men established in their city. The Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary's church were also asked, time and again, to interest their Superiors in this matter. For grave reasons, however, especially for the lack of professors, it was impossible for the Jesuits to comply with the urgent and repeated request, until 1898. In the spring of that year the Very Rev. Theodore Van Rossum, S. J., Superior of the Buffalo Province of the Jesuits, which includes Toledo, gave the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann, as well as others interested, the very gratifying
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