Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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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

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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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 •» St. Augustine’s, I.ansingburgh, N. V Most Kev. 1' .1. Ryan, Archbishop of Philadelphia, assisted at Vespers in the evening. Rev. (buries F. Kelly. D.D., of Towanda, Pa., an alumnus of 18 8, delivered an address on Chris tian Kduention. The Archbishop also spoke. Father MoKvoy was succeeded as president of illanova by Rev. I’ran eis .1. McShanc. At the provincial chapter July, 1 S! I-. l ather McShane was elected, a new hoar»! f directors chosen, and tin faculty increased. Many improvements were made under the new president. I here was a not able advance in the scientific department in the way of new appliances and improved apparatus. In 18.0:», Rev. L. A. Delury became president. During his administra tiou Yillanova made great strides, hi 1899 the present imposing structures (College and Monastery) were started. The work was finished and the buildings occupied in 1001. On June 28. 1901, they were blessed. The old Monastery was now made into a house for the postulants of the order, ami opened December 8. 1902, under the patronage of St. Rita of Cassia. The old College became an academy for younger boys -Tolcntine Academy. In 1905, Yillanova, realizing the need of men trained in the practical work of applied science, opened a school of technology and instituted courses in civil, electrical, ami mechanical engineering. The seventeen years of her labors in this field have shown conclusively that Yillanova did not overstep the bounds of her ability in undertaking to develop trained, efficient, tech nieal men to take their places among the leaders of industry. At the sixty eighth annual commencement June 15, 1909. Yillanova graduated her first engineers. Lewis Nixon, of New York, naval constructor and ship builder, delivered the address. The first graduates were John A. White, of Williams port. Pa.. hdward J. Kirsch of Roscmont, Pa., civil engineers; and John J Smith of Altoona, electrical engineer. Thursday, October 17, 1907, Rt. Rev. WiMiam A. Jones, (). S. A., consecrated the illanova church. Dr. Dclurcy was succeeded in 1910 bv Rev. Kdward (i. Dohan, S.T.I... O.S.A. On Januan 10, 1912. between two and three o'clock while the clerics w re at office in the monastery chapel, St. Rita’s Hall took fire and was almost totally destroyed. It was soon replaced by a new building. In 1912 the corner-stone was laid and the chapel was blessed on the feast of M. Augustine, August 28. During Father Dohan’s administration, the new college hall was opened. Many improvements were also made in the laboratories. A two-vear pre medical course was introduced. It is designed to meet the requirement, for 18