As many as two hundred Indians still in the area. Sorin changes the name of the mission, formerly known as Ste Marie des Lacs, to Notre Dame du Lac. His first act of devotion to Our Lady on the site of the future University. Many Indians assist in erecting the edifice. First chapel on St. Mary's Island, in St. Mary's Lake, also dedicated to Our Lady of the Lake.
Visitors paddle to the chapel in canoes from the shore of the lake.
A charter for the college was granted to the University by the Indiana legislature on January 15, 1844. Pope Pius IX, proclaims dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Five months later the Academy of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, which later became known as St. Mary's, is established. Visits St. Mary's. Dedicates St. Angela's Island and blesses its altar and statue of Mary.