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Page 21 text:
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History of Villanova STROLLING about the campus of Villanova College one is strongly impressed by the magnificence of its buildings, the beauty of its shrubbery, the grandeur and dignity of its campus. Surely such impressiveness and splendor is not the result of but a few years' work and growth This is the question which immediately enters the mind of one whose appreciation of nature’s beauty is so awakened Over a hundred years ago. just after the opening of the new century, these grounds were the estate of a Catholic merchant in Philadelphia, one john Rudolph. Named after the town of his father. Belle Air in Maryland, the estate fulfilled the requirements of its name abundantly Upon the death in 1838 of Mr Rudolph. Belle Air was placed on the block for sale Immediately the splendid possibilities for development of the property into a mother-house for the Province of St Thomas struck the Rev Thomas Kyle, of Saint Augustine’s in Philadelphia, and the Very Rev Patrick E Moriarity Consequently, the two Fathers began negotiations and on the day previous to the one announced for public sale. October 13, 1841. Belle Air was purchased for the sum of $18,000. A few months later, on january 5, 1842. title to Belle Air was granted to the Brothers of the Order of Hermits of St Augustine. In the spring of 1843 the mansion was opened by the Brothers Dennis Gallagher and Jeremiah Ryan, the first to live at the new home, who were sent from St Augus- tine's. Philadelphia Tradition has it that on St Augustine’s Day. August 28. 1843, Father O’Dwyer celebrated Mass in the parlor oratory of the mansion, blessing the new monastery and placing it under the special patronage of one noted for his saintly character and his charitable caring for the poor. St Thomas of Villanova Henceforward, after the first mass and the dedication, the institution was known no longer as Belle Air. but as Villanova Tradition has fostered the name Belle Air. however, until today it is an integral part in things Villanovan, with Seniors adopting it for themselves. On September 18. 1843. with an enrollment of six students, school was begun. Eleven
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Page 22 text:
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The next two years saw an attend- ance of forty-five students at Villa- nova Seven teachers, four priests and three lay instructors, comprised the faculty. Classes were held on the first floor of the building, the faculty occupied the second, while the students lived on the third floor. Proceeding with the sagacity that marks their efforts today the Fathers completed the first new college building in 1844. Then the students moved out of the monas- tery. which was occupied by the community and faculty. The Know Nothings who at- tempted to persecute Catholics were then active in Philadelphia. St Augustine’s Church was burned by the raiders, and fear for the same fate at Villanova led the Fathers to take every precaution to protect the students and buildings Realizing the futility of their efforts, the fanatics grad- ually abandoned the Reign of Terror, and peace once more descended on Villanova. A new chapel was added to the campus in the summer of 1844. being blessed on September 1 On weekdays this chapel was utilized as a class room. Financial re- verses, brought about by the rebuilding of St. Augustine’s and suing the city of Phila- delphia for damages suffered in the recent riots, caused the Fathers to close the college. Thus, on February 20, 1845. classes were dismissed. The college reopened on September 6. Administering the affairs of the college at this time was Father O'Dwyer, president, associated with Fathers Ashe. Hartnett, and Kyle. Mr Ainsley and Mr. Cibney were the lay professors. On March 10. 1848. Francis R Shunk. governor of Pennsylvania, signed “An Act to incorporate the Augus- tinian College of Villanova in the County of Delaware and the State of Pennsylvania. This charter empowered the president and professors to grant degrees. In the same year the seal was adopted, and the ecclesiastical school was inaugurated. Eighty-four years have passed since the east wing of Alumni Hall was built. A year after it was completed death took its toll on May 24. 1850. when Father O’Dwyer succumbed to a prolonged sickness. Father Hartnett was elected president, but gave way to Father Moriarity in the following year. Over a span of five years we have nothing of outstanding men- tion In 1855 the college conferred its first two degrees, when James F. Dooley and Henry C. Alexander re- ceived the Bachelor of Arts degree. In the next year Father Hartnett was once more in the president’s chair. A short while later the sec- ond great crisis came upon the col- lege and it closed on Commence- ment day in 1857. Once more we are carried on the wings of time and brought to Twelve
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