St. Joseph's Convent, Troy, New York, USA

Eastern Province (troy, N.Y.)
St. Joseph's Convent, Troy, N.Y., is the provincial house and novitiate for the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Eastern Province. The first Sisters, seven in number, came from St. Louis (Carondelet) in 1861, at the invitation of the Rev. Joseph Loysance, S.J., and took up their work of teaching in the school building adjoining the rectory. The number of pupils increasing, other classrooms were opened in the basement of the church, where for a number of years the children were cared for in comparative comfort. In 1879 the girls and younger boys of the parish were transferred to the building in Eourth Street, north of the convent. This was a pleasant and commodious two-story dwelling-house that had come into the possession of the Sisters. For a short time it was leased to the city and its pupils and teachers formed a part of the city's system of schools. This arrangement came to an end, and it now became evident that to do justice to the cause of Catholic education the erection of new buildings was imperative. The necessary ground was donated by the Jesuit Fathers, and a starting fund of $6000 in cash. Work progressed favorably, and in 1883 the building in Monroe Street was ready for occupancy. Three years later the school building in Third Street was completed. The subjects then taught in the parish school were those of the eight years' graded course, but in 1888 a high school course of three years was added to the curriculum of studies.
In 1896 the school was incorporated as an institution of the State of New York, under the name of St. Joseph's Academy. When the Rev. James A. Curtin came as pastor of St. Joseph's Church, a system of co-education was adopted, and went into effect in January, 1901, when the Christian Brothers resigned, after a long and faithful service in the interests of the older boys. In 1902, the high school course was changed from three to four years. To the three departments, primary, grammar and high school, there has been added within the past few years a commercial department.
When, in 1868, the Sisters moved from their convent afforded obliged the Sisters to close this private school at a great sacrifice to their yearly income. From the provincial house the Sisters go out daily to teach in St. Patrick's Academy, North Troy; St. Laurence's German School, and St. Michael's Academy, South Troy. In addition, the Sisters give instruction in Christian doctrine to the children in various parishes, not provided with a parochial school, namely, St. Mary's, Waterford; St. Joseph's, Green Island; and St. Anthony's (Italian), Troy.
The city of Troy, notwithstanding its numberless charitable institutions, left the forsaken foundling uncared for. The officials in charge of the city poor, seeing the necessity of such a shelter, applied to the Sisters of St. Joseph, who, in response, opened the doors of a small house on the Glenmore Farm, and received the poor, helpless infants, caring for them with all the solicitude that can spring only from the instincts of Christian charity. The number of applicants increasing, the Sisters were obliged to look for a more commodious dwelling and, with the assistance of kind and interested friends, purchased the Window Estate in Burden Avenue. After considerable expenditure of time, labor and money, the building was made comfortable, and the little ones were transferred to their new quarters, in the fond hope that they might enjoy it for years to come. But vain was their hope, for five months later, December 13, 1895, the building was destroyed by fire, and the children had to be removed to their former home. Needless to say, the sympathy of the whole city went out to the Sisters, and in such a practical manner that they were encouraged to erect the present commodious building, where the little ones are cared for until they reach the age of eight years, when the boys are transferred to the orphan asylum conducted by the Christian Brothers, and the girls to the institution under the care of the Sisters of Charity. Like all the charitable institutions of the state, this institution is under the State Board of Charities, and subject i.o inspection by representatives of that body. For the past few years these inspectors have found fault with the institution for the want of room in the nursery department, on which account the management were obliged to take under consideration the erection of an addition to the original building. When the Sisters sought from the Right Rev. T. M. A. Burke, Bishop of Albany, the necessary permission to erect the aforesaid building, he urged them to make provision for a maternity hospital also. The maternity hospital is the outgrowth of the bishop's suggestion — a building practically as large as the original one and connected with it, although it is a distinct institution, with separate incorporation and directors, and in every sense a public institution that will be open to all, irrespective of race, creed or color. The hospital was formally opened June 9, of the present year (1909).
Loretto Convent, Rensselaer, N.Y., founded in 1899, is a retreat for aged and infirm members. This house is beautifully situated on the eastern bank of the picturesque Hudson, and commands a view of the surrounding country — an ideal spot suggesting at once rest and quiet. Between this property and the farm adjoining the Sisters have 100 acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. A summer school conducted by the Sisters is held during the vacation period every year.
growth both in numbers and in the efficiency of its teaching. The faculty has increased from year to year until the present time when there are sixteen Sisters for the 520 children enrolled. Realizing the necessity for larger accommodations for the community, the zealous rector, Mgr. James P. O'Connor, has erected a beautiful new convent where the Sisters enjoy all advantages in the way of modern furnishings and hygienic equipment.

Detail: Eastern Province (troy, N.Y.)

Date: 1914

Notes: History of St. Joseph's, Troy, NY. PP 293 and 294

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