College of the Holy Cross - Purple Patcher Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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facts were readily conceded by the General Assembly in 1865. Degrees in the interim between the application and the grant of the charter were con- ferred by Georgetown College. The most tragic event in the early history of the institution was the fire of 1852. Breaking out in the central building, the flames soon spread. The conllagration destroyed the entire central building and west Wing. Assistance of the near-by townsfolk and the student body prevented the loss of the valuable library and the east wing of the building. lt seemed dubious for a while whether or not the institution would survive, but led by the Rt. Rev. John B. Fitzpatrick, third Bishop of Boston, patrons and friends of the school saw to it that the ideal of Christian education in New England should not perish, and on October 3, 1853, the remodeled and enlarged college was again opened. Consequences of the fire were felt for several years, but again the distinction and individual attainments of the students together with a sympathetic attitude by persons outside the faith firmly reestablished the reputation of Holy Cross. Following the grant of the charter, the west wing of the central building was reconstructed. The proportions of the new wing required an additional story to the cen- tral structure, and the whole building was capped by two stately towers. Improvements in living con- ditions were frequently made, but the principal feature of this stage of development was the en- largement of the east wing, the only part which had survived the fire of 1852. The structure contained what is now the Community Chapel, which was dedicated in 1875. With this central building now Hanked by two wings the most traditional and oldest of the campus structures saw its completion. Not until 1894 did the college require expan-

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care the duty of teaching was entrusted. From the College Diary, writ- ten in the handwriting of the first Rector, Rev. Thomas F. lVIulledy, SJ., the following lines are quoted from the address of Father Pise: The rzlihce whirl: is to be rzfnrezl by Ihr' lihfrralily of the RI. Rev. Benwlicr Joseph Fenwick, of Boston, was lhen flezlirairvl to tlnf nzlrvrizzrrzlrelit of Arts, the cultiiiaiion of the Sciflzces, and to the promotion of patriotism, morrzlily, wirtzm mul religion, 'with all the solemn services of the Crzilzoliz' Clin:-rl1. In January, 1844, classes were transferred to the new building. Wlhen the college had been in operation about two months the whole institution numbered but twenty students, six faculty members and three lay brothers. However, in accordance with growing needs, Rev. James Ryder, SJ., the successor of Fr. Nlulledy, added an east wing in the following year, which contained a dining room, chapel, study hall and dormitory. As the student enrollment became larger, it was evident to Bishop Fenwick, who was now failing in health, that he had founded an institution which would be a memorial to him in future years. Shortly before his death, on August 6, 1846, he ceded to the Fathers of the Society of Jesus full control and pos- session of the college. Progress in all fields of activity was noteworthy as the years went on. The first class ready to grad- uate Was the class of 1849. Rightly did the college apply for the privilege of incorporation, but the ap- plication for a charter was not granted until lVlarch 24, 1865. Delay in the granting of this charter was due to a misinterpretation of the purpose of the founder in making the college strictly Catholic. Dr. Brownson in his Q1mrlw'ly Review proved the har- mony existing between the privileges requested and the requirements demanded by the State, and these

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sion. It became evident about that time that an addition, extending south from the west wing of Fenwick, would be necessary. Plans were drawn for this edifice which was to give Holy Cross a series of improvements that would rank it second to no college in the East. The lower lloor of the new structure was to have a gymnasium, a natatorium and a board track. Science lecture halls and laboratories were included in the plans, as was the construction of a hall suited for dramatic and debating purposes. The upper floors would provide additional living quarters for resident students. This new building, the present O'Kane Hall, was formally dedicated in April, 1895. The gymnasium, fully equipped, was ready in the fall of that year. At the turn of the century, then, Holy Cross was composed of two buildings, Fenwick and O'Kane. lt does not require much rellection to realize the progress that the college has made in the last three decades. In 1905 work was completed on the athletic field, and the present Fitton Field was dedicated on Patriots' Day of that year with a victory over Brown University. The growing student enrollment and the consequent demand for larger residential accommodations were answered by the erection of three new buildings within the space of seventeen years. The corner stone of Alumni Hall, the testimonial of the love of the Alumni of Holy Cross for Alma Mater, was laid by Bishop Beaven on May 21, 1905. XVhen the scholastic year of 1913- 1914 opened another new resident hall was located on Nlount Saint James. Beaven Hall is the gift of the late Rt. R-ev. Thomas D. Beaven, D.D., and the clergy of the Springheld diocese. The newest resi- dential building, Loyola, named in honor of the founder of the Jesuit Order, was solemnly dedicated in 1921.