USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > A history of the Catholic church in the dioceses of Pittsburg and Allegheny from its establishment to the present time > Part 42
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THE SISTERS OF MERCY.
Whatever may be said of the other religious orders of women in the diocese, and they all have a noble record, the Sisters of Mercy must ever occupy the foremost place, as well by their number, which is now almost two hundred, as by the numerous schools, academies, and charitable institu- tions entrusted to their care. For thirty-six years, in imita- tion of their divine Master, they have gone round doing good, instructing the ignorant, protecting those exposed to danger, reclaiming many from vice, caring for the sick and the orphan ; everywhere and by all proper means promoting the cause of religion. Nor have their labors been confined to one single diocese. From the foundation made at Chicago at the solicitation of Bishop Quarter, in September, 1846, to that at Wilkesbarre, thirty years later, the branches of the Order have been extending and have everywhere been bear- ing fruit for the honor and glory of God. Not content with
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THE SISTERS OF MERCY.
the opportunities which ordinary circumstances placed within their reach, they have sought others. When the Rebellion desolated so large a portion of the country and filled the hos- pitals with sick and wounded, a band of Sisters from Pitts- burg had charge of a hospital in Washington for some months, where, like members of other orders, they did much to allevi- ate pain, to reconcile the suffering to their lot and make it a means of spiritual profit, to prepare the poor victims for death, and to remove no little of the prejudice which igno- rance and bigotry had caused and fostered against the Church and her religious orders. An interesting chapter of Ameri- can Church history would be that recounting the benefits which the Sisters of the various orders conferred thus indi- rectly upon religion during the late Rebellion. But to resume.
At the date of the erection of the Diocese of Pittsburg there was but one religious order of women-the Sisters of Charity-in Western Pennsylvania, and these Sisters, not- withstanding their labors and sacrifices, were not meeting with the success to which they were entitled. On his return from Rome, where he had lately been consecrated Bishop of the new See, Dr. O'Connor passed through Ireland with a view of enlisting priests and religious for his Diocese. Among other places he visited the mother-house of the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, from which, at his earnest request, seven Sisters accompanied him to America. They sailed on the 12th of November, 1843, and arrived at Pittsburg on the 3d of December-the first Sisters of Mercy to cross the Atlantic Ocean. On their arrival they took possession of a house on Penn Street, near Sixth, where they remained until 1848. On the 14th of April, 1844, they took charge of the girls' depart- ment of the Cathedral school in the new building then fin- ished, and in September they opened St. Mary's Academy for young ladies. The other schools and academies which they conduct and the hospital and asylum of which they have charge, have been or will be treated under the heads of these congregations and institutions. The ranks of the community soon began to increase both by accessions for a short time from Ireland and by native aspirants to religious perfection. "In 1848 several of the Sisters having fallen victims to the
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ST. XAVIER'S ACADEMY.
ship-fever, then so prevalent in the city, and serious fears being entertained for the safety of the rest of the community, Bishop O'Connor, regardless of his own comfort, gave up his own residence to the Sisters, whither they removed and re- mained until the present convent on Webster Avenue was - finished, a period of over two years. The same house served for convent, orphan asylum, academy, and here, too, some classes of the parochial schools for girls were taught. In 1850 the Sisters went to Webster Avenue."* This convent is at the corner of Chatham Street and not far from the Cathedral. It has been considerably enlarged, however, since that time. In 1866 the Sisters took charge of the boys' department of the Cathedral schools, which is taught in the building attached to the Cathedral. A year later, upon the completion of the new orphan asylum and the transfer of the orphan girls to it, the Sisters took possession of the old asylum which stood at the back of the convent, and soon after, having torn down the building, replaced it by one much larger for the accommoda- tion of a part of the community. An elegant brick academy, fronting 58 feet on Chatham Street by 30 feet deep and three stories high, was finished in the spring of 1875. Thus were founded and finished all the buildings and they are both neat and substantial-necessary for the community. The Order is in a flourishing condition and is constantly increasing in num- bers. We shall now turn to the educational institutions con- ducted by the Sisters; their charitable institutions will find a place in the next chapter.
ST. XAVIER'S ACADEMY, WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
No sooner had the Sisters of Mercy established themselves in Pittsburg than they sought to extend the sphere of their usefulness. Encouraged and directed by Bishop O'Connor, who was always their steadfast friend, they resolved to estab- lish a house and open an academy for young ladies near St. Vincent's Church, Westmoreland County. Father Stillenger
*Annual Report of the Treasurer and Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral, from July Ist, 1873, to June 30th, 1874.
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had transferred his residence to Blairsville a short time be- fore, and the Benedictine fathers had not yet arrived, and the large brick residence which the former had built in 1835 being unoccupied, would serve as the temporary home for the community and the cradle of their institution. Soon, however, they secured a farm of one hundred acres of land lying about one and one half miles south of St. Vincent's and on the Philadelphia and Pittsburg turnpike. They have since purchased an additional hundred acres adjoining it. Here they prepared to establish their convent and academy. Few places could have been better chosen, as every one who has visited it in the last thirty years attests. The spot selected for the buildings rises gently above the adjacent grounds and affords a fine view of the surrounding country and of the well-defined Chestnut ridge that extends north and south about six miles east of the academy. Many a giant oak of the primeval forest is yet standing in the recreation grounds to carry the mind alike of light-hearted girl and thoughtful Sister back to the days, but a century distant, when the for- ests resounded with the howl of the wolf and the panther and the war-whoop of the savage. It is a paradise, if there be such on earth. To this inviting spot the Sisters transferred their convent and school when the buildings were ready, May 14th, 1847, and named it in honor of the Apostle of the Indies. The increased accommodations and facilities soon began to have their effect in establishing for the institution that reputa- tion for imparting a thorough education which it has since so successfully maintained and enhanced. The building of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which passes two miles north of the academy, placed it in direct communication with both the east and the west. As time went on the Sisters were enabled to improve the buildings and grounds and render them still more attractive. But in the midst of their prosperity and ap- parent security a calamity befell them which enlisted the sympathy not only of those who had been benefited by the academy, but of all who had heard of it. The building acci- dentally took fire on the Ist of February, 1868, and was burned to the ground.
Nothing remained but to replace it by a new building ; and
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ST. ALOYSIUS' ACADEMY.
in the mean time the school was continued, with such pupils as chose to remain, in the spacious brick guest-house that had been lately built. Work was immediately commenced on a new convent and academy that should occupy the site of the former. The friends of the Sisters hastened to their aid, and contributed liberally to the new building. It was ready for occupation at the commencement of the September term in 1869. The chapel, however, was not finished until the spring of 1870, when it was dedicated by Father Hickey, V.G., on the 21st of April. The new academy is considerably larger than the old one was, is finished in better style, and, being built in one block, is more symmetrical. Since its completion it yearly graduates young ladies from all parts of the country, who will carry with them through life the solid and healthful education they have received, and everywhere bear witness to the advantages offered by the institution.
Although the Sisters, in common with others, feel the effects of the present financial depression of the country, in a falling off in the number of pupils received, it is but temporary, and the academy still enjoys a liberal share of public patronage.
ST. ALOYSIUS' ACADEMY, LORETTO.
It had long been the wish of Dr. Gallitzin, as we have al- ready remarked, to place the children of his Loretto settle- ment under the care of religious teachers; but, although hc made an attempt to establish a community for that purpose, it was left for others to carry his beneficent designs into execu- tion. In 1848 the Sisters of Mercy from Pittsburg founded a convent in the little Catholic village ; a house was built for their reception, and a small portion of the land left by Dr. Gallitzin was made over to them upon certain conditions, one of which was that they should teach the girls' department of the parish school. A young ladies' academy was also opened, which they placed very appropriately under the invocation of St. Aloysius. The buildings were enlarged at different times, though after a preconceived plan, till the Sisters now have an academy which without presents a very attractive appearance, and within is well arranged for the purposes for which it is
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THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.
intended. It occupies a commanding position, and is sur- rounded by grounds neatly laid out and set with evergreens. The number of pupils has never been so large as that of St. Xavier's, nor is the course of studies so advanced. While the latter is adapted to the wants of those who by their circum- stances are destined to move in the higher walks of life, the former is rather for the daughters of the middle class, those of limited means, who, while aiming to combine a useful with an accomplished education, give the preference to the former. Unfortunately, however, we find people of moderate means too often studying to ape the manners of persons of affluence, and the consequence is that the expense of their pretensions prevents them from ever attaining the reality. This is seen in many instances in the education of their daughters. Money is spent and time devoted to the acquiring of accomplishments, as they are called, which will be of no earthly use in after-life, and those who might by the same expenditure have acquired an education useful to themselves have little more at present than such as effectually unfits them for their station in life. It is hard to instil practical good sense into the minds of peo- ple in a land of shams like ours. And when educators would tell parents what is for the best, their advice is not acceptable.
St. Aloysius' has not in the past few years received the share of patronage to which it is entitled, but this is to be at- tributed to the depression of the times, and with the return of general prosperity the institution will flourish as in former years.
THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.
Three Sisters of this useful institute arrived from Buffalo, in November, 1865, and soon after opened St. Francis' Hospital on Forty-fourth Street, Pittsburg. When the orphan boys were transferred to the new asylum, in December, 1867, the Sisters purchased the house and grounds, on the South Side, the former of which became the mother-house of the Order in the diocese. A few years later they erected the present convent, which is a brick building perhaps 90 feet in length by 35 in width and three stories high, and placed it under the patronage of St. Joseph. In connection with it is
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THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH.
the orphan asylum, of which mention will be made in its proper place. There are at present about fifty Sisters of the Order in the diocese, besides a large number of novices. The schools taught by the Sisters have already been referred to.
THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH-MOUNT GALLITZIN SEMINARY, EBENSBURG.
The Sisters of St. Joseph were founded by Rev. Peter Medaille, at Puy, in France, in the year 1650. In 1836 a colony of six Sisters came to St. Louis, where they founded the first house of the Order in the United States. Twenty years later a house was established at Brooklyn, from which the foundation for the Diocese of Pittsburg was obtained by Rev. R. C. Christy, of Ebensburg, in the summer of 1869. Three Sisters arrived on the 2d of September, and opened a novitiate. They at the same time opened a boarding-school for small boys, which, in honor of the Apostle of the Alleghe- nies, they named " Mount Gallitzin Seminary." The building which was procured for their reception has since been con- siderably enlarged. The community is in a flourishing condi- tion, although from its introduction into the diocese its mem- bers have had to struggle against many difficulties. The Sisters have houses at New Castle and Hollidaysburg in this diocese, as was stated in the history of the churches in those places, and at Columbus and Belaire in Ohio. The com- munity numbers about thirty-five members, all of whom, with the exception of the Mother Superior, have been received in this diocese.
THE BENEDICTINE NUNS.
In the history of the Church at Carrolltown, a brief sketch was given of the introduction of the Benedictine Nuns into the diocese. St. Scholastica's convent in that village was the mother-house until the spring of 1879. But the difficulty of access to the place, the length and severity of the winter season, and other reasons induced the nuns to seek a more suitable locality. They accordingly purchased a large dwell- ing with a few acres of ground about eight miles south of Pitts-
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THE URSULINE NUNS.
burg, which is now the mother-house and novitiate. They have at present charge of all the German schools in Allegheny City.
THE URSULINE CONVENT AND YOUNG LADIES' ACADEMY, PITTSBURG.
We owe the presence of this Order among us to the dis- turbances created in France by the invasion of the German army in 1870. Eight of the French and English nuns in his diocese were authorized by the Cardinal Archbishop of Rouen to emigrate to the United States, and there seek the quiet and repose that it was no longer possible for them to enjoy in their native land. Upon their arrival in Pittsburg the same year they took possession of a house on Eighth Street, belonging to the diocese, where they remained until a more suitable home should be obtained. Leaving them for the present, we shall glance at the history of the Order.
The Ursuline Nuns were founded by St. Angela of Brescia, in 1537, for the virtuous education of young ladies. The first convent of the Order in the Western Continent was founded at Quebec, in 1639; the first in the United States, that at New Orleans, in 1727. The latter exists to the present time, and is the oldest convent of women in the country.
At the end of about a year the community of which I am now speaking purchased a very large brick dwelling on the cliff overlooking the Allegheny River, at a cost of $35,000. Additions were built for a like sum, and an academy for young ladies opened. The superior education, especially in the French language, afforded by the institution induced many of our leading citizens, irrespective of religious belief, to place their daughters under the care of the nuns. It need hardly be said, that, notwithstanding the short time the academy has been in existence, it has fully realized the expectations of its numerous patrons. In addition to its other claims it has that of being favored by the government with a charter which empowers it to graduate such of its pupils as go successfully through a complete course of studies. The present building, though spacious, is unable to accommodate all who apply for
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OTHER COMMUNITIES.
admission, and the nuns are looking forward to the time when they will have an academy where all the advantages of their system of education can be enjoyed by their pupils. With this end in view they purchased, in the summer of 1876, a property consisting of about thirteen acres of the most desira- ble ground at Oakland, which the owner, on account of his financial embarrassments, was obliged to sell at a sacrifice. It is within the city limits, and cost $35,000. The buildings, with the exception of a very large conservatory, are useless to the community ; but it is the intention of the nuns to erect an academy and convent as soon as their circumstances will permit.
The community has had numerous acquisitions to its original number, and consists at present of about twenty-five professed nuns and a large number of novices, and it has every prospect of a flourishing career of usefulness.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame have been spoken of in the history of St. Philomena's Church, Pittsburg; the Sisters of St. Agnes, in St. Michael's Church, Hollidaysburg ; and the Sisters of Divine Providence, in Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, Pittsburg. Those principally engaged in managing charitable institutions will next engage our attention.
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CHAPTER XXIX.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS-RELIGIOUS ORDERS OF WOMEN.
The Mercy Hospital, Pittsburg-St. Francis' Hospital, Pittsburg-Asylum of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Allegheny-St. Paul's R. C. Orphan Asylum, Pitts- burg-St. Joseph's German Orphan Asylum, Allegheny-St. Michael's Ger- man Orphan Asylum, Pittsburg-House of the Good Shepherd, Allegheny- Conclusion.
THE MERCY HOSPITAL, PITTSBURG.
" THE poor you have always with you" is a prophecy ap- plicable to the Church in all ages. But under certain cir- cumstances it comes home with peculiar force. Ours, for example, is a population where objects of charity are at all times numerous. But although these are the first to enlist our sympathy and kindle the flame of Christian charity, there are others in better circumstances who, in time of sickness, long to be served by persons who have consecrated them- selves by vow to works of mercy. Although Bishop O'Con- nor displayed the mind of a master in organizing the diocese over which he had been placed, yet he could not accomplish all things in a day ; hence it was not until the beginning of 1847 that he saw the first Catholic hospital opened in Pitts- burg. In January of that year the Sisters of Mercy rented a house and opened the Mercy Hospital for the reception of patients. With the return of spring arrangements were made for building a permanent institution. Large lots were se- cured on Boyd's Hill, about half a mile from the Cathedral, and a short distance from the summit of the bluff overlooking the Monongahela River. Work was commenced in August, and the new hospital was ready for the reception of patients in April, 1848. The building is brick, and although narrow, is about 125 feet in length and four stories high. Since its comple-
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ST. FRANCIS' HOSPITAL.
tion it has been under the care of the Sisters of Mercy, and it is the property of that community. The devotion of the good Sisters to the care of the sick, their skill, and the admirable order that reigns in every department of the hospital have se- cured for it a name and a patronage that show the superiority of Christian charity over much-vaunted philanthropy. But the very charitable character of the institution has made its existence a constant struggle ; and this is perhaps the highest praise that could be bestowed upon it, that, not content with the good it is able to effect, it longs to extend its mercy yet further in behalf of suffering humanity. Not built with a view of making money nor under State patronage, the hospital has ever extended its charity to the poor as far as it was possible, trusting rather to the providence of God than to the rules of human prudence. Many pay, but not a few are received gratuitously.
During the first eighteen or twenty years the hospital was in some sense regarded as a diocesan institution, and an annual collection was taken up in the churches towards its support, for which in return certain privileges were granted to the sick of the congregations. But of late years it has become a private institution. The spiritual necessities of the patients were ministered to for many years by one of the priests at- tached to the Cathedral, but for the last ten or more years the institution enjoyed the advantages of a resident chaplain. Rev. M. J. Mitchell filled that position until early in Decem- ber, 1879, when his health permitted him to take charge of a congregation, and the hospital was again made dependent upon the Cathedral.
ST. FRANCIS' GERMAN HOSPITAL, PITTSBURG.
In the month of November, 1865, three Sisters of St. Fran- cis from Buffalo, N. Y., entered the Diocese of Pittsburg and were added to the other religious communities devoted to the cause of education and charity among us. Soon after their arrival they purchased four acres of ground on what is now Forty-fourth Street, and opened a hospital in the frame building situated on the grounds. The little community in-
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ST. FRANCIS' HOSPITAL.
creased rapidly, and the mother-house was soon transferred to the South Side and permanently established at St. Joseph's, as we have seen. An attempt had once been made to pur- chase the property now occupied by the hospital as the site of the new St. Paul's Orphan Asylum, but the title was not then clear, and it was abandoned for the spot at present occu- pied by that institution. About half the original purchase was soon sold out in building lots, a transaction from which more was realized than the cost of the whole.
A small frame chapel was built by the Sisters soon after their arrival. But the hospital was ere long too small to af- ford accommodation to all who sought admittance, and it was determined to build a large one. Work was commenced on it in the spring of 1872, and it was completed in the fall of the same year and blessed by the Bishop September 26th. This hospital is one of the most substantial and best arranged buildings of its kind in the city. It is 150 feet in length by 40 in depth, four stories high, and has a wing extending back from the centre for a chapel. The interior arrangements are all that mechanical skill and Christian charity could devise for the relief and comfort of the inmates. The location, too, is superior to that of any other hospital in the city. The ground, which rises gradually from the river a distance of half a mile, places the institution so high that it enjoys a con- stant supply of fresh air, so desirable for invalids, and being in the northern part of the city it is free from the perennial cloud of smoke that hangs over Pittsburg. As if nothing should be wanting to enhance its attractions, the street in front of the hospital when opened was cut down from 10 to 20 feet, leaving the building on an elevation. The grounds between the hospital and the street have since been tastefully terraced. To the rear are the grove-like grounds of St. Mary's, and beyond those of the Allegheny cemeteries, with a fine country prospect. On the whole it is one of the most healthy and attractive locations that could have been selected. The old hospital is yet standing, and is used for patients af- flicted with the more malignant contagious diseases. Mass is daily celebrated by one of the Capuchin fathers from St. Au- gustine's Church. St. Francis', though commonly regarded
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THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR.
as a German hospital, is yet patronized by all classes of pa- tients irrespective of nationality 1
THE ASYLUM OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR, ALLEGHENY CITY.
The need of an asylum for the aged poor had long been felt in our cities, not only that the corporal but much more the spiritual necessities of such as were thrown upon the public charity, or were in danger of being thrown upon it, might be properly ministered to at a time when they were on the eve of rendering an account of their lives. Moved at the sight of the destitution in which these unfortunate persons were placed, and conscious that but one effectual remedy ex- isted, the Bishop applied to the mother-house of the Little Sisters of the Poor at Rennes, in France, for a foundation of the institute for his diocese. But other Bishops had already made similar requests, and he must await his turn. At length his request was granted, and, on the 24th of April, 1872, he had the happiness of welcoming a colony of seven Sisters into the diocese. They were received into a house on Eighth Street, the property of the diocese, which had previously been occupied by the Ursuline nuns, until such time as they should be able to secure a permanent home.
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