St. Benedict's Academy (1883-1909); St. Benedict's Monastery (convent), St. Joseph, Minnesota. Academy class of 1883-1884, front row sitting left to right: Neville Ensor, Mary Schwartz, Elizabeth Spies, Tillie Keppers, Barbara Venne, Margaret Sanz, Ursula Glatzmeier, Anna Herron, Bertha Linnemann, Carrie Smith, Alta Letson, Frances Pfannenstein, Lena Bernick, Mary Rhodes, Lucretia Mutschlechner. Second row sitting: Rose Black, Mary Merten, Anna Brockmann, Theresa Schreiner, Margaret Klein, Stella LaComb, Margaret Kerst, Josephine Friend, Anna Wagner; (Third row sitting): Anna Kahl, Laura Bosworth, Margaret Lauermann, Magdalen Theisen, Barbara Eich; (First row standing): Eliza Darbelly, Louisa Maurin, Sister Alexia Kerst, Mary Roach, Clara Otto, Mary Kennedy; (Second row standing - next to building): Johanna Madigan, Mary Brockmann, Jennie McLean, Sister Bonaventure Kapsner, Margaret Claesgens, Margaret Farrell, Sarah Farrell, Louise Wall, Mattie Bosworth, Josie Smith, Mary Zimmer, Sarah Kelly, Lavina Huber, Sister Pius Roche, Sister Celestine Marschall, Josie Gerard, Mary Hoffmann. While the sisters rejoiced at the increasing enrollment, they were concerned about maintaining a small enough number to assure a homey atmosphere and a community spirit. In the early 1880s, because many of the students were of grade-school age, there was a built-in family atmosphere in the academy. Gradually, however, the academy drew students of high school age and older; by 1909, the academy was ready to consider offering college classes (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
First 5O years of the College of Saint Benedict (CSB). At first the college shared the facilities of the academy in Cecilia and Gertrude Halls. Cecilia Hall, built in 1881, is described in the 1926 College Bulletin: "Five dining halls with service rooms occupy the basement floor, five reception rooms the first floor, seventeen music practice rooms and five teacher's studios the second, while the third was remodeled in 1924 into a residence hall with an infirmary area. The private rooms are furnished with vanity dressers, tables and settees; each has a large private wardrobe and hot and cold water. A trained nurse is at all times in charge of the perfectly equipped infirmary. A secluded cottage (infirmary/guest house) on the campus, also in charge of a trained nurse, is used in case of contagious illness." Gertrude Hall, built in 1898, is also lauded in the 1926 College Bulletin: "In the basement is the service room fitted with the most convenient shampooing apparatus, irons, electric attachements, etc.--also cloak rooms, locker rooms, a stationery store, a confectionery store, and a kitchenette fully equipped for the serving of light lunches or 'spreads.' On the first floor are administration offices and the chemical and physical laboratories. . . On the second floor is the botanical laboratory and classrooms, well-lighted and each furnished with a special library open to the use of the students. The third floor provides airy pleasant dormitories for those who do not wish to rent private rooms." However, many of the activities of the college centered in the two new buildings, Teresa Hall and Sacred Heart Chapel, which were as up-to-date as Benedicta Arts Center and Regina Hall seem to us now - perhaps more so. Teresa Hall was the height of luxury! It had a library on 1st floor, an auditorium/study hall on 2nd floor, a rotunda (residence area) on 3rd and 4th floors (where some rooms had private baths and every bedroom had hot and cold water) and a gymnasium on the ground floor. (Gable, OSB) The chapel inspired by new architecture, very moderate baroque with its Carrara statues and Sienna marble pillars from Italy (and majestic, granite pillars from Rockville, MN), was a perfect example of its baroque type -- Newman's favorite. However, the college faculty was concerned about the later interior decorating of the chapel. In 1958, members of the art department, Sisters Johanna Becker and Jacquelyn Dubay as art consultants, helped the community restore some of the chapel's original lightness which had seemed so right in the beginning. (Gable, OSB)
Construction of Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict's Monastery (October 21, 1912). An enclosed cloister walk was constructed to connect the second level of the south side of the chapel to the second level of Teresa Hall at the college. An enclosed cloister walk connecting the second level of the north side of the chapel to Marmion Hall (formation house) was also in the plans. Because later photographs show this south court area without a cloister walk, it may be assumed that the construction workers had to remove the cloister walk shown in progress in this photograph, probably to give more space for the ensuing construction work. However, photographs of early 1914 show that the enlosed north and south cloister walks were added to the chapel immediately upon the completion of the chapel.
Construction of Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict's Monastery (October 28, 1912). One week after the steel girders for the inner walls were installed, the steel supports for the stained glass windows were in place.
Early ventures in St. Joseph, Minnesota (1880-1890). Because the government opened the contract for any number of students to attend St. Benedict's Industrial School, an addition was constructed on the west end of Marmion Hall so that the building could accommodate 150 students. When in 1896, the government dropped the contract system of Indian education, the school remained open for two more years when it was forced to close due to lack of funds. The west addition to Marmion Hall was then converted to a school for little boys (ages 6-12), often referred to as "Bethlehem School for Boys." The sisters reserved the east end of Marmion for the formation of its new members (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives; McDonald, page 122).
Aerial view of St. Benedict's Monastery. This aerial view (taken 30 years after the construction of the chapel) shows how the Sacred Heart Chapel, though constructed at the back door of the convent, became the center of the campus. The Scholasticate (now Rosamond North) was built immediately west of Marmion for potential candidates, many of whom came to attend high school. Farther west, St. Walburg's was built to house the vestment and sewing departments, as well as to provide living quarters for some sisters. A garage replaced the farm buildings near the tower. However, it took another 15 years to move all of the farm buildings farther west.
Expansion of Monastery (1880-1909). This aerial view of St. Benedict's Convent/Academy campus (1909) shows the extent of the 40-year growth of the Benedictine community and its academy from the 1863 church/convent/school complex to this impressive campus. About five years after this photograph was taken, the addition of the spacious, copper-domed chapel and the Teresa Hall addition to the academy/college, gave St. Benedict's Convent the appearance of a full-fledged monastery with the college under its wing (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
An aerial view shows Saint Benedict's Monastery's farm which had pastures, cultivated fields for crops and large gardens and shelter for cows, pigs, sheep and chickens.
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"Saint Nicholas" shows the Wenner family praying with a lit candles on their Advent wreath. Saint Nicholas makes his appearance with treats for the family, a tradition on his feast, December 6. ""Saint Nicholas"" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist. (Sound quality for this film is poor.)
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"A Family Works Together" features the Spoden family working, playing and praying together. The father is believed to take the place of Christ as head of the family. Mr. Spoden is shown blessing his son before he leaves for college. "A Family Works Together" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
Despite the fact that the new St. Benedict's Hospital boasted of a modern heating system, an operating room, two private rooms, wards, and a kitchen, only ten patients were received during the first two months. The sisters began to worry about their hospital project until a cyclone swept over St. Cloud and the neighboring towns killing 58 and injuring hundreds. It wrecked all in its wake but the hospital which became the center for rescue work. The sisters toiled for 48 hours before relief came from the Twin Cities and neighboring towns. The catastrophe broke down the prejudice against hospitals and, thereafter, St. Benedict's Hospital did not lack patients; at the close of the second year of service, the number of patients received reached 400. When over-crowded conditions forced the sisters to build a new hospital, St. Benedict's Hospital was converted to an academy of art and music (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives , McDonald, page 254).
St. Benedict's Academy; Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Date Created:
1883
Description:
1883 Annual Catalogue was published for the St. Benedict's Academy in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Contents include description of the institution, course of studies, lists of students, awards and closing program.
St. Benedict College and Academy; Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Date Created:
1918
Description:
1918-1919 Annual Year-Book was published for St. Benedict's College and Academy, St. Joseph, Minnesota. Contents include calendar, description of institution, description of railway and telephone connections, buildings and grounds, dormitories, library, reading rooms, laboratories, museum, alumnae association, reports and standings, courses, departments, list of students, regulations for wardrobe and fees.
St. Benedict College and Academy; Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Date Created:
1919
Description:
1919-1920 Annual Year-Book was published for St. Benedict's College and Academy, St. Joseph, Minnesota. Contents include calendar, fees, description of railway and telephone connections, buildings and grounds, dormitories, library, laboratories, museum, religious training, league of the sacred heart, social training, reports and standings, departments and courses, list of students, regulations for wardrobe and terms for the scholastic year.
St. Benedict College and Academy; Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Date Created:
1917
Description:
1917-1918 Annual Year-Book was published for St. Benedict's College and Academy, St. Joseph, Minnesota. Contents include calendar, description of institution, description of railway and telephone connections, description of grounds, dormitories, reading rooms, assembly hall and laboratories. Reports and standings, courses, departments, roster of students, regulations for wardrobe and fees are listed.
St. Benedict College and Academy; Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Date Created:
1921
Description:
1921-1922 Annual Year-Book was published for St. Benedict's College and Academy, St. Joseph, Minnesota. Contents include calendar, railway and telephone connections, buildings and grounds, dormitories, library and reading rooms, laboratories, museum, religious training, Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, social training, alumnae and student associations, reports and standings, departments and courses, readings and lectures, list of students, regulations for wardrobe, terms for scholastic year, general information and donations.
St. Benedict College and Academy; Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Date Created:
1922
Description:
1922-1923 Annual Year-Book was published for St. Benedict's College and Academy, St. Joseph, Minnesota. Contents include description of institution, railway and telephone connections, private rooms and dormitories, library and reading rooms, laboratories, museum, health and comfort, religious training, social training, alumnae and student associations, departments and courses, reports and standings, list of students, regulations for wardrobe, general information and terms for scholastic year.
As early as 1923, there are records showing that Sisters were involved with bee culture. Left to right are Sister Annina Zierden, Sister Juliana Venne, Sister Crescentia Eich and Sister Amalia Eich.
St. Benedict's Academy (1883-1909). The fact that a room was already set aside for art in the late 1890s attests to the sisters' desire to cultivate the love of beauty. The academy catalogues show the variety of courses that were available including oil painting. St. Benedict's Academy (later College) has produced notable artists, for example, Sister Thomas Carey, among its faculty and students throughout its history (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
First 50 years of the College of Saint Benedict (CSB). For those who wish to study painting, china decorating, or crafts, the art studios offer special inspiration. Sun-flooded rooms with paneled ceilings, richly carved, a wide fire-place with hand-painted tiles, rare statuary, including pieces from Beuron--all contribute an atmosphere calculated to inspire the student with love for her work (College Bulletins).
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"Ash Wednesday" discusses the marking of ashes on the forehead, why ashes are used and where they come from. Father Vincent Huebsch signs the Komarek family with ashes. "Ash Wednesday" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"Assumption" tells the history of this feast of Mary which celebrates her being taken into heaven. This belief surrounding Mary was proclaimed a dogma of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1950.Slides from Ephesus are used to illustrate this story. The Girls' Choir sings "Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above." "Assumption" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
Schools in North-central Minnesota (1871-1909). Eden Valley was platted in 1886 when the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad Company laid their tracks through the area, Eden Valley developed rather rapidly. By 1901 three Benedictine sisters from St. Joseph went there to teach in temporary classrooms until the new parochial school was completed in 1902. Eventually the enrollment peaked at 310 with 8 sisters teaching at the Assumption School. Watkins The same year, the neighboring town of Watkins was platted along the same railroad. By 1907 the Catholic parish, St. Anthony's, in Watkins was large enough to build its own parochial school. The Benedictine sisters from St. Joseph were invited to teach there and the school soon realized an enrollment of 200 pupils. In subsequent years, the school developed to a peak of 321 students and for some years included high school classes (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives, Olsenius, page 137).
St. Benedict's Academy (1883-1909). As St. Benedict's Academy's enrollment increased, a larger study hall included a stage so that the study hall could serve as an auditorium when needed. The school year was enhanced with performances by the Drama Club, Choral Group, and enriching lectures by guest speakers. One guest speaker, Herman Zschokke, chaplain to the Austrian imperial court and ex-rector of the University of Vienna, later described his visit to Minnesota in a book, "Nach Nordamericka und Canada." As the academy became a college centered on the west campus, a large Benedicta Arts Building/Petters Auditorium was built; it not only serves the college and Benedictine community but also central Minnesota (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives; McDonald, pages 107-108)
