Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

Page 22 text:

 0)ur fUnftr HE early years of the nineteenth century saw the beautiful grounds which we know today as Yillanova in the possession of a Catholic merchant of Philadelphia, a Mr. John Rudolph. At that time, they bore the name of Belle Air and the title was particularly fitting for the location. Mr. Rudolph died in 1841 and the estate was offered for sale. The location was ideal for a private country seat or a public institution. The Rev. Thomas Kyle, of St. Augustine’s, Philadelphia, and the Very Rev. Patrick E. Moriarity, Commissary of the province, took advantage of this splendid opportunity for a firm establishment of the Augustinian Order in the United States. As a result, on Wednesday, October IB, 18-41, the day before the one appointed for the public sale, they purchased Belle Air for the sum of 18,000 dollars. On January 5, 1842, the title to Belle Air was granted to the “Brothers of the Order of St. Augustine.” Brothers Dennis Gallagher and Jeremiah Ryan, in the spring of 1843, were the first of the Order to be sent from St. Augustine’s, Philadelphia, to Belle Air to open the mansion. According to tradition, Father O’Dwyer, of St. Augustine’s, said Mass in the parlor oratory of the mansion and blessed the new Monastery on St. Augustine’s Day, August 28, 1848, placing it under the patronage of St. Thomas of Villanova. A more appropriate patron could not have been chosen than St. Thomas. He was a truly saint- ly man and known to all for his charity to the poor. After this first Mass had been celebrated and the dedication had taken place, the estate was no longer known as Belle Air but was called Villanova. On September 14, 1843, school was be- gun for those who w i s h e d to attain Fourteen

Page 21 text:

Clje (College

Page 23 text:

an academic or higher education. It had an enrollment of six students at the opening; two years later, the student body had been swelled to forty-five. The faculty consisted of three priests and four lay teachers. The first floor of the mansion was confined to classes, the second to the faculty, and the third to the students. In 1844, the first new college building was completed and the students were moved out of the monastery, leaving it entirely to the faculty and the community. The first prospectus of the college was issued in 1844. During this time, the “Know Nothing” furore was at its height in Phila- delphia and the tranquillity of Villanova life was seriously threatened. St. Augustine’s Church in the city had been burned and it was feared that the same thing would happen to Villanova. Great precautions were taken to safe- guard the students and then the movement gradually expired. In the summer of 1844, a new chapel was erected and blessed on September 1st. This was used for classes on weekdays. At this point in her advance- ment, misfortune befell Villanova, because of the expense incurred in the re- building of St. Augustine’s and in bringing lawsuits against the City of Phila- delphia for damages suffered in the recent riots. For this reason the Fathers decided that the college must lx closed and on February 20, 1845, classes were dismissed and were not resumed until the following year. The college was again opened on September 6th. The first public com- mencement was held on Julv 21, 1847. Father O’Dwver was President and with him were associated Fathers Ashe, Hart- nett, and Kyle; also Mr. Ainslev and Mr. Gibney who were re- tained as lav profes- sors. In the year 1848, a petition for charter was made to the State Legisla- ture, and on March 10th, the same year, the Governor, Francis A. Shunk, Fifteen