Buildings
In 1946 Universe Mound school was located on Cambridge Street down in long dirt road directly across from a nursery. There were three buildings that were designed in the somewhat Italianate style. One was for the girls boarding and classes. Another held the chapels and the convent. The main six-story school building had a sizeable kitchen with staff and a large laundry facility.
An arcade joined the school to the chapels where there was a bell tower with a rope that hung down and was pulled so bells pealed out for prayers, Mass, and other occasions. Doors from the chapel lead into the five-story convent.
Later six cottages were added. Two of which were for the younger girls and four for the older girls. The cottages were each structured with a sitting room, shower rooms, bathrooms, small kitchen, plus a room for crafts, dining and homework. The top floors were where two dormitories were situated. Between the two dormitories was an entry way where the house mother could keep watch. She also had a separate room situated between the two dormitories. The four cottages that housed the older girls were set facing one another with a well groomed garden in the middle. The younger girl’s cottages had a small garden. There was a long arcade that led from the two younger girl’s cottages to a small dining room and to a separate chapel. The two groups of girls were kept separate on all times.
Also added was a well-designed lounge, an inner courtyard and a larger courtyard. There was also a swimming pool with private dressing rooms and a movie theater. The outer grounds were beautifully landscaped and in one section held the grotto. A cyclone fence was put up around the parameter.
11 comments:
I was there 1959-1960 and on the "Senior" side where Sister Harold Ann was the main nun (couldn't stand her). Was there because I ran away from an abusive step-father. In those days kids were victims, locked up for trying to escape violent assaults...sad! My best friends were Carmen G., Marcia M, and Gail F (who was a child prodigy on the piano and only 11 1/2). All 3 of these girls were simply discarded by their families, 2 of whom were very wealthy and 1 very poor. Very difficult place to be.
Thank you for sharing your stories from so long ago.
The area has changed, school was sold but, Grace Cottage built in 1962 still stands and operates as a recovery residence for women.
My mother would have live there aprx. 1956-1960. She almost never spoke of "The Convent" as it was called. Her favorite sister must have been a Sister Christine? She named her 1st born Christopher after her. Any one remember a Mary Matthew, abandoned by both birth and adopted parents.Any memories I would cherish. Neva
August 7,2016
My name is Gail Perry I lived at the Convent from the 10th to the 12th grade.I graduated from there and went on to the Transition House after graduation for about 4 months.
I lived at the Convent from around 1967 to when I graduated in 1969.
It was the best time of my teenage years. I became socialized meeting different kinds of people I would have never met had I not gone there. The Nuns were wonderful older and young ones.
I remember Sister Lagori who had an operatic Beautiful voice. I don't want to bore you all but it was a good time for me. Thanks for listening.
https://twitter.com/PatriciaSDay I lived there from 1968-1970 in Del Rey Cottage where Mother Jean managed. My friends were Leslie and Linda. I was in Del Rey one year and moved to Grace residence for one year. I had ran from my parents who were raping me and selling me to men since age 4. The Nuns were from Heaven. I got married while in Grace residence. While at this convent, my mother sold me to my counselor, Mr. V who raped me many times and used drugs and amnesia to get away with it.Also while in Grace (run by Patrick and Martha Lane) Patrick raped me one time. When I told Martha, she did nothing. They tried to force me to have a baby for them because they were having trouble getting pregnant.I refused so they said they are going to let my counselor rape me anytime, and he did while calling me a whore as his excuse. I got Scarlet Fever in Grace because Martha would not let me go get meds for strep throat.They tried to get me to talk from the future and give them cures for diseases. None of the Nuns abused me
I was in one of the older cottages
With Mike and Pat. If it wasn't for this place I wouldn't of graduated. Sister mother Nativtas
Was there back in 1970 to 1973.
Also went to grace house
I would love to hear from Anyone who knew Mary Matthew. She left about 1961. Arrives around 1956? Abandoned my her parents at 3, and adopted. Abandoned my adopted mom and step dad around 13. Met her husband Terry, who became her godfather. Later they fell in love and married.
She almost never spoke of the Evil Convent. Sister Christopher was the only nice nun there she would say. She passed in 1999.
And noe who remembers her, please email me
Nevatahija@yahoo.com
I was in one of the cottages furthest away from the convent. Don't remember the name but a couple by the names off Beth and Andy were the houseparents. 1975-1976. The relief woman would break into a sweat when Kojak was on the TV. My best friends were Caroline Stevens and Helen Sikes. We used to raise hell. I was kicked out. Helen ran away to New York and was murdered by the Torso killer of Times Square. I don't know what happened to Caroline. Penny, Desiree...guess we were the last ones to reside there. I used to get a group of girls to cut class and we'd run through the school building, hiding from the teachers and nuns. I actually was upset when I got kicked out!
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