Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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The early use of postage stamps in this country is evidenced in this letter, sent from Georgetown University to Father Farrell in 1865. At that time, the postoffice was at Hender- son's, a country store in West Haverford. The Rt. Rev. Thomas Galberry, O.S.A., succeeded Father Stanton in 1872, and remained in office until his elevation to the Bishopric of Hartford, Conn., in 1876. During his administration, the new College building was completed. This corner workshop was a far cry from our present modern laboratories. The equipment, however, used in the teaching of Physics, was up to date and adequate for the time. The first Bachelor of Science degree was granted in 1872. The interior view of the Chapel (left) shows the original main altar; when completed in 1887, the edifice contained a total of ses-en altars.

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rr THE llilltS kerosene lamps and tallow candles, and heated, for the most part, by coal and wood stoves. Chief source of water for stu- dents and faculty alike was an old hand pump, located at the north end of the present-day church. As time went on, however, these inconveniences were done away with. By 1872, steam heat had replaced the older modes in both College and Monastery, and campus-made gas was used for illumination. A new system of water-works was constructed in 1871. From a spring just south of County Road and across the railroad tracks, water was pumped—at first by wheel-pump, and later by hydraulic power—to a reservoir near the old col- lege building, and then relayed to tanks in the college and Mon- aster)». The first new building erected after the Silver Jubilee was the gymnasium, a comparatively small frame structure located a short distance west of what is now Alumni Hall. It was well- equipped for athletic endeavors, and large enough to serve, until 1879, as parish church for the surrounding district. S x n after Father Calberry became president in 1872, con- struction of the long-dreamed-of college building was begun. The first stone of what is now the west wing of Alumni Hall was laid in April, 1873; the following September saw the Cross raised into position atop the cupola, 100 feet above the ground; and in February, 1874, the building was ready for occupancy by teachers and students. The Rev. Patrick Stanton, O.S.A., became President of Villa- nova in 1869, succeeding l-'ather Mullen. The new gymnasium and a waterworks were outstanding among the many improvements made during his administration. The first Villanova catalog was published in 1871 in Father Stanton's administration. The notes written upon the cover shown are those of Father Middleton, former President and Librarian of the college. To relatively small groups of men was given the task of edu- cating Villanova students during the early years. The college’s curriculum then included courses in English, Latin, Greek, French, German, philosophy, bookkeeping, music, and drawing.

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In che arm-chairs and benches of the Reading Room, beneath the old-fash- ioned gas-lamps, former Villanovans caught up on their reading. Freshmen now use this space as a dormitory. Students did their home-work in a body and under supervision in the old Study Hall. Symbolic of Villanova’s spiritual stability is the crucifix, just like those in present-day classrooms. Five years later, in 1879, a fourth floor was added to the Monastery. After having been blessed by the Rev. Father Pro- vincial Neno, the new quarters were immediately occupied. On November 20 of the same year, the original Monastery grave- yard, on the site of the present Monastery, was also blessed by Father Neno. Crowning achievement of the period was the erection of the long-needed Chapel- that Chapel today symbolizes Villanova. On March 29, 1883, Father Coleman, who was Prior at the time, and the members of the Community broke ground for the edifice; on April 25, the first stone was laid in the trenches; and on June 3, the cornerstone was solemnly blessed and laid in place by Rt. Rev. Jeremiah F. Shanahan, Bishop of Harris- burg. The cross was blessed in 1884, and on July 3, 1S87, the completed Church was dedicated by Bishop Ryan of Philadel- phia. Mr. Edwin F. Durang was the architect. When the Augustinian Fathers had purchased the Belle- Air estate in 1842, they purchased many acres of fertile farm land, and, consequently, farm buildings as well. Of these, the old stone barn was the center. In 1889, this barn was rebuilt, largely through the efforts of Father Blake, then Procurator. The Rev. John J. Fedigan, O.S.A., for whom our upper-class dormi- tory is named, became president in 1878; his two-year term was marked by many improvements. A full-length portrait of Father Fcdigan, by Eakin, now hangs in Simpson Hall.