Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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struck with the generally forlorn and com fort less look of things around the hill-top christened the place 'Mount Misery. Father Stanton, after three years in office, was succeeded by the cry Rev. Thomas Gal berry, as president. Under the new president, work began on the main wing of the college building (now rolcntine Academy) in tin year 1878. The first stone was laid in the trenches on Tuesday, April I. The cross-one hundred feet from the ground—was raised over the College on Thursday, September k Oil Tuesday, February 8, 1871, the building was occupied by teachers ami students. The building has a frontage of 171 feet. Now ther«! was better accommodation demanded for the Faithful. 1 he gymnasium was, therefore, dismantled and the hall fitted up for church purposes. Mass was said for the first tilin’, in the new gymnasium church on Sunday, July IK 1872. On Sunday, September 15. Hishop Wood blessed the building. A postoffice was opened in the new station at the foot of the college hill in 1872. Mail was delivered at Villanova for the first time on Wvdnes day, November (5, 1872. Cutler I’ather Galbcrry the Forty Hour was in itroduced at Villanova. On the eve of commencement, Tuesday, June 2i , 1875, the alumni met and with Father (ialbcrry. bishop-elect of Hartford, formed an alumni £5 Su iassociation. Father (ialbcrry left for Hartford, Conn., to tak - up his work f itL ns Bishop, Tuesday, May 7. 187(5. Father Thomas C. Middleton was clmseii oy president for the remainder of the term. At tin- commencement of 187(5, gold medals were given out for the first time. John K. Crowley was awarded a gohl medal for general excellence, and John J. Ryan one for mathematics. During the following year nothing of importance happened. 'Flic straight avenue leading down to the station was cut out and trees planted In the summer vacation of 187(5, Rev. John J. Fcdigan was elected president. During his two years »»f office many improvements were made. In 187I the fourth-story was added to the monastery and steam was in ro- dueed. In September, 1880, Father Fcdigan was transferred to Atlantic City and Father Joseph Coleman succeeded to the presidency. He was presi dent for six years and during that time Villanova made rapid strides for ward. At the commencement of 1881, Very Rev. James A. Corcoran. D.D., of Over brook Seminary, presided. Music was supplied bv the College Gleir Club.

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F. Dooley and Henry R. Alexander received Bachelorship of Arts. Two years later, Mr. Dooley received from Villanova the Mastership of Arts. Rt. Rev. Bishop Neuman,’C.SS., presided. In 1855-5(5 Father Harnett was president. Now the Fathers found it necessary to devote their efforts to the development of their missions. Therefore on commencement day, 1857, the hoys were assembled ami tin closing announced. College remained closed for eight years. In the fn'l of 1857, the Bishop of Philadelphia held a retreat at Villa - nova and, on All Saints' Day, conferred sacred orders on Brother Peter Crane. This was the first ordination at Villanova. In the spring of 18(55, a second clergy retreat was held at the College. In 18(55, the Fathers decided to re-open the College. In September classes were resumed with Father Ambrose A. Mullen as President. With him were associated Fathers Pacificus A. Nemo, Philip Ixxo, Francis M. Shecran, the new vice-president, and Thomas C. Middleton, members of the order recently arrived from Italy. Messrs. Michael O’Farrell, Timothy Donovan, Charles Marsden, John Dcvir, and Thomas Cullen were candi- dates for the order. The ecclesiastical department of Villanova was under the guidance of Father Father Ixxo was master of novices. With Father who in I8 ) received the doetorship, were allied during his sixteen years of regency in the studies, Father A ngostiw 1 ' nun», Middleton, O'Farrell, Fleming, Naxxnreno Proposta, Joseph A. Locke, and Maurice M. Ryan. On Palm Sunday, 18(5(5, the Passion was sung at Villanova for tile first time. The chanters were Father Ixxo. .Vumu, Middleton. On Thurs- day, July 20, Father N smt was invested with the master’s cap and ring by Dr. .Moriarty, delegate of the general. This was the first time such n cere- mony took place in the province. In 18(5», Father Stanton succeeded Father Ambrose Mullen as president of Villanova. His term was a very prosperous one. In 18(i{), a gymnasium was erected. It was a frame building 81 by M) and was fully equipped. Cndcr Father Stanton's administration, college catalogues were published tor the first time—1871. In 1871, water works were erected at the foot of Mt. Misery. The first jet of water reached college reservoir on Wednesday, December (5. Mt. Misery is, of course, known to all Augustinians and most of Villanova's old boys. The boys of today seem to be letting the old name die out. It is the- hill on the north side of the Pennsylvania Radroad Sta- tion, above the old spring-house. Some time in the early 'Ml’s not long after the Fathers had come into possession of Belle-Air, Dr. Moriarty, being y M f e I' V i r

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In the summer of 1881 the custom was introduced of chanting the Pnlsms at Vespers on Sundays !»v a double choir of clerics; one in the organ gallery and the other with the rest of the religious in the chancel. The Fathers now decided to build a new church. In 1883, the present Church of St. Thomas of Villanova was erected. It is a beautiful gothic structure, and an evidence of zeal and labors of these self-sacrificing men. The little oratory in the old monastery parlor was the first step; then came the Church of 1818, the Chapel of 1811, the Gymnasium Church of 1872, ami finally the beautiful structure standing at present. On Faster Thurs- day, March 29, 1888, ground for the new church was broken by Prior Cole- man. St. Mark’s Day, April 25, the first stone was laid in the trenches; Sunday afternoon. June 8, tin- Feast of Most Pure Heart of Mary, the cor- ner-stone of the new church was solemnly blessed and laid in place by lit. Rev. Jeremiah F. Shanahan, Bishop of Harrisburg. Dr. Stanton delivered the dedication oration. Sunday, November 28, 188 f, the cross on the front gable was blessed by V. Rev. Maurice A. Walsh, vicar of the diocese. The sermon was preach- ed by Rev. John P. Gilmore, (). S. A. Father Coleman who had been trans- ferred to Australia, completed the church. On Sunday, July 3, Most Rev. P. .1. Ryan of Philadelphia, blessed it. Rt. Rev. M. J. O’Farrel, of Trenton, gave the benediction sermon. Father Sheeran, for many years professor and vice-president, in 1885 received the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology and was elected presi- dent of Villanova. During 1889 while Father Blake was procurator, the old Rudolph barn was rebuilt. Mr. Durang drew up the plans. In the long vacation of 1890, V. Rev. Charles A. MeHvoy was elected president, with Rev. Richard A. Gleason as vice-president. The year after, Rt„ Rev. Lawrence A. Delury succeeded as vi e-president. The fiftieth anniversary of Villanova’s foundations occurred in 1892. At this time the community consisted of forty-five members, viz.—sixteen priests, ten professed clerics, five novice lay brothers, four postulants. The students were ninety; fifteen in the eclesiastieal ami seventy-five in the collegiate department. The golden jubilee was a great day for Villanova. The academic celebration took place on Wednesday. June 21, 1898. Many bishops and clergymen were present. Archbishop Ryan presided. The religious celebra- tion took place on Sunday, July 2, 1893. The Rt. Rev Thomas McGovern, Bishop of Harrisburg, celebrated Solemn Pontifical Mass and Vespers. 'Phis was the first lime such services took place in the history of Villanova. The jubilee sermon was preached by Rev. F. X. McGowan, O.S.A., rector of 17 i to.y C m. Ufh £an. 0.(UL