Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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Hellp-Atr SKVKNTY-NINK years lias slit- stood—our Alma Mater. Slie lias n juiced and sorrowed, struggled and enjoyed perimis of repose, hut al ways she lias kept her eager eyes fixed on the golden banner in the heavens. She has followed the words emblazoned thereon Kxeclsior. She sees even beyond that to a cross from which shine out letters in glitter ing diamonds, In hoc signo vinces. To every true son of Villauova it should be a pleasure ami a journey of love to wander back into the beginnings of our beloved Alma Mater. Were we to go back a few years after the nineteenth century mark, there is no Villauova. It is Belle-Air. On October 13, 1801», John Rudolph, a Catholic merchant of Philadelphia, bought a farm of one hundred acres from Jonathan Miller of Ilaverford township for $ 10,000. He afterwards enlarged his farm by four purchases from neighboring tracts of land. Rudolph was born in Philadelphia about 1700 and had served as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. When he bought this farm there was an uu finished building on it. fie completed it and then moved from town and in remembrance (it is said) of his father's native place, called our present VUlanova, Belle-Air. We, who are so blessed with conveniences in this day, will be surprised to learn that Mr. Rudolph drove every Sunday to Philadelphia to the near est Catholic Church. , The many details of the Belle-Air life we must pass over. Rudolph died March 30, 1838, and was buried at St. Mary's, Philadelphia. In 18 H, Belle-Air was put up for sale to take place Thursday, October It. I8H. The day before the one announced for the public sale, Belle Air was pur chased for $18,000 by Rev. .Uiguntim» Kyle, of St. Augustine's, and Dr. Moriarty, commissary of the province. On January 1812, title to Belle Air was granted to the Brothers of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. ' At this time there were only five Augustinians in the country: l)r. Moriarty, commissary; Fathers Kyle and O'Dwyer in Philadelphia; Father, Nicholas and James O'Donnell in Brooklyn. Father O Dwyer. in the Fall of 1812 or the Winter of 1813, was forced by reason of poor health to go abroad. In the Summer of 1813 lie returned much stronger and filled with enthusiasm for the great work lie had in mind. With him came Rev. Francis Ashe, a priest, and Rev. William Harnett, a deacon, who bad made their novitiate and studies in houses of the Order in Italv. 10

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Rev. Thomas A. Rowan, O.S.A. Director of V’illanova Frep.

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But what is to In done with the great farm of Helle-Air, now Augustin ian property? In the spring of 1848, Brothers Dennis Gallagher (Brother .John in religion) and Jeremiah Ryan were sent from St. Augustine's to open the house at Belle-Air. This faet is of interest because it marks the first residence of members of the order at our present Villanova. Tradition has it that Father O'Dwyer said mass in the parlor oratory and blessed the new monastery on St. Augustine's day, August 28, 1818.' He dedicated the new mission to St. Thomas of Villanova. Thereafter, Belle-Air passes away and we have ’illaiKK'd. On all Saints' Day, 181-8 Bro- thers Gallagher and McDonnell were received into the order under names of John and Thomas. Now is was necessary to put the new monastery on a anonieal basis. This was done at the request of Father Philip Angelueei. Vicar-General of the Order, by Pope Gregory XVI, in a brief issued December 22, 1818. The probable date of the opening of school is September 18, 1818. In the ( a holie, of Pittsburgh, it is stated, that “in 1818 the College began its career” and that thirteen youth opened the establishment. We, of Villanova 11)22, lind it rather hard to understand the sacrifices of comfort the boys of the infant school made. Until the erection of the chapel building in 1811, the students' lavatory was in Rudolph's old wagon- shed. A long wooden trough to hold the basins was set up along the far side of the shed: it was open in front. Water was procured from the pump some one hundred feet away. In the new College building (tin east wing of the Tolentino Academy) was completed and the students moved from the monastery. In the spring of 1841, thefirst prospectus of Villanova appeared in the ( ntholic Herald of Philadelphia. Villanova’s first scholastic year was an exciting one. The Augustinian church of St. Augustine in Philadelphia had been burned in tin Know- nothing Riots, and all the inmates of Villanova were in contsant fear of an attack on the College. F.very evening the boys were marched down the Lancaster Pike to Mrs. Rudolph's house to spend the night. That house still stands. It is a stone building on the south side of the Pike about a mile down and almost opposite where, until recently, the Roscmont toll- gate stood. Shortly after the lire in St. Augustine's, Dr. Moriartv and Father Kyle left for F.uropc and Father O’Dwyer became Superior of the Missions, which position he held till his death. May 24, 18- (). Father O'Dwyer's life was a very active one. He now made additions to the barn—two wings; one for corn, etc., the other for wagons and partly for a gymnasium. In May. Father O’Dwver laid the corner-stone for tin ll