Mount Saint Mary Academy - Mountain Chimes Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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REVEREND MOTHER MARY GABRIEL undertook the responsibility of erecting the new Motherhouse and Academy at North Plainfield. First, the land had to be surveyed, and a forest had to be cleared and the rock founda- tion of the road laid. Thousands of rocks were taken from the mountain-side, broken and placed for a foundation. Due to the nature of the hill, the road was outlined as it is today, with deep arcs giving a serpentine effect. Half way up, the picturesque slope was selected as the location for the new building. To do this, the men had to penetrate into the heart of the mountain and transfer the dirt in order to form a broad plain as a foundation for the new struc- ture. This gigantic task was directed by Mother Mary Cecelia. On the feast of Mount Carmel, l906, Mother Mary Gabriel turned over the first spade of the Plainfield tract, and in l907, Bishop McFaul laid the cornerstone of the new building dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. ln less than two years, the construction was com- pleted and the Community changed their loca- tion of the Motherhouse and Academy to North Plainfield. The Bordentown building was sold to the Community of Poor Clares. Mr. Daniel Kenney of North Plainfield was the donor of the large tract of land in the beautiful Watchung Mountains upon which the new building was constructed. 8

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The Academy, under the title of Mount St. Mary's, was a glorious fulfill- ment ofthe faithful prayer and pioneer spirit of the early Sisters. Among those from Bordentown to reside at the Mount were Mother Mary Gabriel, Mother Mary Cecelia, Mother Mary Raymond, Mother Mary Joseph, Mother Mary John, Sister Mary lsidore, Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Sylvester, Sister Mary Matthias, and Sister Mary Alacoque. On September 28, l908, Mount St. Mary's Academy and College formally opened. Seventy-seven registered, which included boys and girls in the ele- mentary grades, and young ladies in the secondary department, and seven college girls. Mother Mary John, because of her achievements as Directress of the Academy in Bordentown, and her capacity for understanding youth, was made the first Dean of the College. There are other names linked with these early days in Plainfield. Among them is the noble character of Sister Mary Mercedes, under whose direction the Academy rose to excellence. I-ler radiant personality was an inspiration to all. The deep holiness and enthusiasm of the faculty: Sister Mary Bertrand, Sister Marie Anna, Sister Mary Beatrice, Sister Mary Austin, Sister Mary Con- cepta, Sister Mary Teresita, Sister Mary Patrice, and Sister Miriam, were a sustaining element of success, working all day with body and soul praising the God of all Mercy. Mount St. Mary's Academy and College, North Plainfield, New Jersey-l 908.