Ursuline History - Ursuline AcademyThe following information was taken from the lastest edition of the history of the Central Province compiled by Sr. Sue Ann Cole, OSU. The Springfield Ursulines trace their origins from Ireland, France, Italy and St. Angelea in reverse order. 
Ireland welcomed French Ursulines from Dieppe in 1771 in Blackrock, Cork. From the school and convent came the Foundress of the Ursuline Convent in Springfield, Illinois. Morther Mary Joseph Woulfe, OSU, was born in Ireland in 1815. She was educated at Cork. During her time at the school she determined she wished to be an Ursuline. She was sent to France to "discern" her vocation. Bishop John England of Charleston, South Carolina, went to France to solicit nuns for his diocese. Harriet Woulfe joined the group. They arrived on December 10, 1834 in Charleston. The clothing day for Harriet Woulfe was May 19, 1835 in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1852, Bishop England died, and was replace by Bishop Reynolds. This Bishop confiscated the property used/owned by the Ursulines. The Ursulines left and went to Covington, Kentucky. In 1847, they opened a school on Bank Street in Cinncinnati, Ohio. In 1854, the covent was dissolved. Six Ursulines went to Brown County Ursulines, three went to New Orleans, two back to Ireland , Mother Mary Joseph Woulfe and Mary Charles Maloney, not to Cork but to Sligo. In 1855 Bishop Juncker was consecrated for Alton Diocese in Illinois. He asked for Sisters to work and teach in his diocese. Hence, the Ursulines from Ireland, came to Springfield via Brown County, Ohio. Ursulines arrive in Springfield, Illinois on August 21, 1857. They spent the night in the Old St. Nicholas Hotel. They then moved into the Farnsworth House and opened the school on September 7, 1857. The Ursulines purchased the Franklin House in 1858 and moved in on August 20, 1858. On September 6, 1858 they opened a "free" school, St. Angela's, as well as the tuition based school. Up to 1867 St. Angela's was the only "parish" school for girls in the city. February, 1859, the convent was legaly incorporated as the Springfield Ursuline Convent of St. Joseph. In 1861, or 1862 Judge William Power of the Sangamon County Court remitted all back taxes and said that in the future such taxes would not be levied. Main event of the first ten years was the purchase of 6 1/2 acres of Allen's Grove on Fifth Street. This property was some distance north of where the nuns lived and worked on 6th Street. Ground breaking: August 15, 1865. The first Mass was celebrated on September 25, 1867 in the new convent. Free Adultfriendfinder.com system is the worlds' biggest and best adult dating site. Custom Screen Printing Mattress Love cooking? Check out chicken recipe at eFoodDepot.com Mac Repair Seattle |
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