Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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Above: The building in the center is the Academy erected in 1844 to house students. The Rudolph House to the left of the Academy and the stone barn to the right were included in the original purchase. I.cfl: Close-up of Rudolph House where Mass was said until the Chapel of Our Mother of Consolation was constructed in 1844. The college bell in the locust tree was recast from metal salvaged from the bell of St. Augustine’s Church which orig- inally was used in the tower of Independ- ence Hall—the predecessor to the Liberty Bell. The old college bell has been located at the Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine. O.S.A., Flushing, Long Island, and will be brought to Villanova for the Centennial Celebration in 1943.

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Opposite Page: Soiled by the hand of time, a draft of John Rudolph’s estate as it appeared when the Augustinian Fathers purchased it. Only the Lancaster Turn Pike, the Railroad and Spring Mill Road are recognizable today. Left: The deed by which Villanova College became a reality. Below: The original Rudolph house. Below: Belle-Air. as the estate was called by Rudolph. em braced one hundred and ninety-seven acres of fine land, about forty acres of which were excellent standing timber.” Its elevated and healthful location, its rich meadow lands, and its compara- tive easiness of approach from all quarters were advantages never to be lost. A large two-story stone mansion and a spacious stone barn were the outstanding improvements. The farm was divided into fields of convenient size enclosed with good fencing.

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Institution Is situated in a moat lthy and beautiful part of Delaware yt between the Lancaster Turnpike mud the Columbia Rail-Road, both of which past through its extensive grounds. The regular course of study requisite forgrad uation,comprises the Greek, Latin and English languages, History, Geogra, phy, the Mathematics, Logio, Rhetoric, Poetry, Natural and Moral Philosophy and Chemistry. When, however, the student is destined to commercial pursuits, or intended to pur- sue a particular profession, the course of instruction will be so modified as tq suit the wishes of Parents and Guardians. As instruction in the principles of the Catholic Religion, and a strict observance of the duties it enjoins, form a part of the system of education, Catholic patronage alone is solicited. The Collegiate year begins on the first Monday of September, and ends on the third Wednesday of July. — TER MS:— L L COLLEGE. County, Pa. TTie annual pension for Board and Tui- tion, payable half yearly in advance. is...............................|125 00 The modern languages form a se- parate charge; each, per annum, 15 00 Music, per annum, . . . 40 00 Books, Stationery and Physician’s fees will form extra charges. At the close of each session, a Bulletin will be forwarded to Parents and Guar- dians, informing them of the health, pro- Sress, general conduct, dtc., of their cliil- ren or wards. All communications. c.. for the College, should be directed to the Post Office, West Haverford, Delaware County, Pa. P. K. MUK1AKTY. I) l O.S.A, President. G. A. MEAOIIKK. O 8 A Vice-President. An announcement indicating develop- ment and organiza- tion after nine year of existence. Rev. John P. O'Dwycr, O.S.A., was the first presi- dent of Villanova. ... In the last Provincial Coun- cil held in Baltimore in May. 1849, Fr. O’Dwyer, by the most unanimous vote ever given by the Bishops, was elected to fill the Bishopric of Savannah.” Be- fore consecration his health failed and he died in 1850 at the age of 54. With the Mass said by Fr. O'Dwycr and dedication ceremonies of the 28th of August, 1845, Villanova, no longer to he known as Belle-Air, was launched on its religious and educational career. Classes were begun on September 18th. Seven students were enrolled on the first day. Within a few days three more were added. Such was the modest begin- ning of Villanova College. In the same year, Fr. Philip Angelucci. Vicar General of the order, in a petition to the then reigning Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Gregory XVI, supplicated His Holiness for leave to establish a novice-house of the Order at Villanova. By a brief issued on December 22, His Holiness acceded to the prayers of the Fathers and the new American Province became self-sufficient in the training of its members. During the troubled time of 1844, the infamous “Hogan Schism.” climaxing a period of anti-Catholicism in Phila- delphia, resulted in the burning of St. Augustine's Church and had its repercussions at Villanova. The brothers did sentry duty on the grounds while younger lads were housed during the nights away from the premises. A year of college passed amid frequent alarms. In consequence of the losses sustained during the riots, the members of the Order were compelled to close the college lately opened. With less than two years of chequered existence, its portals were closed until the Fall of 1S46. Twenty'five