Emmanuel College, 1919-2019
Title
Emmanuel College, 1919-2019
Subject
Emmanuel College, Boston, MA
Description
While Emmanuel College opened its doors for classes on September 22nd, 1919, its roots can be traced back to 1849, when the first Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur arrived in Boston. They settled on Stillman Street in the North End, before moving to Lancaster Street. Finally, in 1864, the sisters opened the Notre Dame Academy on Berkeley Street. Decades passed. By 1900, with the student enrollment rising every year, the Sisters of Notre Dame realized the school needed more space. So, in 1912, the congregation purchased land on The Fenway. Construction for the new Academy began in 1914.
The new building was not designed just for the Academy alone, however, but also with the plan to establish the first Catholic women’s college in New England. In 1916, the Academy moved to its new home on the Fenway. Work continued on the building until 1919. Finally, on September 22nd, 1919, Emmanuel College opened with 27 eager day students.
The new building was not designed just for the Academy alone, however, but also with the plan to establish the first Catholic women’s college in New England. In 1916, the Academy moved to its new home on the Fenway. Work continued on the building until 1919. Finally, on September 22nd, 1919, Emmanuel College opened with 27 eager day students.
Creator
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Source
[no text]
Publisher
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Date
1919-2019
Contributor
East West Archives, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Rights
All rights belong to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Relation
[no text]
Format
[no text]
Language
English
Type
[no text]
Identifier
[no text]
Coverage
[no text]
Collection Items
Site of the Notre Dame Academy, later to become Emmanuel College
Map of the site of the future Emmanuel College, Boston
Notre Dame Academy, Berkeley Street, Boston
View of the Academy before its move to the Fenway, when it eventually became Emmanuel College.
1912 Letter Giving Permission to Look for New Site for Academy.
The letter states Congregation's Superior, Sister Julia of the Passion, gives permission for the sisters at the Notre Dame Academy on Berkeley Street to begin looking for a new site for the Academy. This ultimately led to the foundation of Emmanuel…
Real Estate Transfer letter, 1912
Letter from lawyer, Henry Cunningham, to Sr. Julia of the Passion, Superior of the Notre Dame Academy on Berkeley Street. It describes the land for sale on the Fenway, its restrictions and need for deposit to secure the sale. This land eventually…
Sister Adela du Sacre Coeur
Sr. Adela du Sacre Coeur, the first Emmanuel College President.
She was born Adele Marie Josephine Albertine Gils in 1860 in Vaux et Borset, Belgium. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1880 and came to the United States in 1884, where she…
She was born Adele Marie Josephine Albertine Gils in 1860 in Vaux et Borset, Belgium. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1880 and came to the United States in 1884, where she…
Map of the Fenway 1917
Map of the Fenway in 1917 after the completion of Notre Dame Academy in 1916. The NDA building would share its space with Emmanuel College from 1919 until 1931, when the Academy would move to its new home on Granby Street in Boston.
Cardinal O'Connell Letter
December 19, 1919 letter from Cardinal O’Connell to Sr. Bernardine Marie Daly (1860-1942) congratulating her and all the Sisters of Notre Dame for the opening of Emmanuel College.
Sister Helen Madeleine Ingraham
Passport photograph Sister Helen Madeleine Ingraham (1887-1989). She was Emmanuel College’s first Dean of Students. She remained Dean from 1919 until her resignation in 1950. During her term, she created its curriculum and guided the college through…
Emmanuel College Chapel
View of the Chapel soon after College opened. The Emmanuel College Chapel windows were designed by
Alexander S. Locke (1860-1921). The Locke Decorative Company also designed windows for St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Somerville, St. John’s…
Alexander S. Locke (1860-1921). The Locke Decorative Company also designed windows for St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Somerville, St. John’s…