St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-18
= Oga Rotaat St s5rosd-


is the site of the proposed new convent
and academy. The educational feature
of the order of the Visitation, which is
one. if not the oldest. EngliSh-speakinig
Catholic order In the United States Is
not least of its many good works. what
the sisters in this city have accom-
plished in this direction under the aDie
Supervision of Sister Clementlne, VINO Is
the executive head of the institution Is
well known. A large number OF young
ladies prominent in st. faul society
have received instruction at the academy
and graduated from it. AT present theIe
are twenty sisters domiciled in the con-
vent and there is an average attendance
of sixty-five at the academy.
THE NEW BUILDING.
A description OF the new building. so
far as can be CLEANED from the plans
which are as yet uncOmpleted, will prove
interesting and serve to give an idea of
tbe MAGNITUDE of the work the
sisters have on hand. Except
that portion of the building ap-
propriated to the uses Of thesisters 1t
will be designed for the exclusive pur-
pose of school for young ladies'. There
will be two departments, the junior and
academic. There is no set term in the
first named, but the full academic
course extends over period OF four
wears and'will he on par with the pest
high schools in the country! -
0The intention is to move the present
building to the rear end of the convent
premises and OCCUPY it during the sum-
mer months and until the new building
is completed and ready for occupancy,
which will be some time during the late
autumn. The new building will have
three fronts, all as near alike as may be,
on Robert street and Aurora avenue,
Fourteenth street and University ave-
nue., the main entrance being
on University avenue. That portion
fronting on Fourteenth street will be
the academic department. The build
ing will be of irregular shape, following
the street line. In its height will be In
cluded four stories and an attic, the
roof being surmounted by two domes OF
ornate design, one at either end of the
structure, serving to light the OctagOnal
chapel, which is located in the monas-
terry end of the building and the main
halls on the academic side, there being
a thick dividing wall between the two
sections. The basement contains the
kitchen and pantries, from which lead
three dumb walters, laundry, closets for
linen and bedding, wardrobes and a
rectOry, all on the monastery side, from
which also springs the grand staircase.
On the academic side are two reflector
les. three large playroomS OF an average
size of 23x39 each, trunk and cloak
rooms, with large halls, from one of
which the elevator is accessible. From
this side also two StairwayS, one for
general use and the other for pupils and
preceptresses exclusively, lead to the
floors above.
On the first floor in the monastery sec
ton and opening into the hall which
leads from the main entrance on the trl-
angle of Robert street and University
avenue are three large parlOrs. Adjacent
is an assembly room, 1SX31; several
toilet rooms, two sleeping apartments
and the cabinet of the SuperiOreSs.
Oriel towers, Springing up on either
side of the main entrance to the roof,
where they terminate in graceful peaks,
make alcoveS to the parlorS, and are also
utilized as means OF access by winding
stairs to the Octagon chapel above. On
the academy side are also brace OF
Oriel towers, cOunterpartS OF those on
the opposite end of the building. The
space Ill tlllS SttIlOu 10 luhtii up Wy q
study hall, 60x40, having stage 30X24,
and number of class rooms, the library
also being on this floor. The study hall
takes in the first and second floors, and
running the length of the academic side
are balconies which afford shelter. and
at the same time enhance the appear
ance of the building.
THE SECOND FLOOR.
ION the second floor is located the
chapel, of octagon shape, and forty-twO
feet across. Entrance to it is gained
from the stairway in the oriel towers, as
well as from the main hall, and the
sacristry which adjoins, as do three
Gonfessionals. 1t is also connected with
the sisters choir room 21X32 feet.
The sisters infirmary is situated in this
section, and there are. as well, several
sleeping apartments, with the necessary
toilet and bath rooms. The pupils in
Urinary is reached from the academic
side, and the main hall cuts off pOr-
ton of this section. Connected with it
are sleeping rooms for nurses. What
space is not taken up by the study hall,
whose gallery, three feet six inches deep,
is level with this floor, is devoted to
class rooms facing the hollow of the
building, and studio.
The third floor of the monastery sec
ton is cut up into sleeping apartments,
and it is from this floor that the gallery
of the chapel is reached. On the other
side is large dormitory 60x40, and a
number of smaller dormitories, together
with linen closets, etc. No use will at
present be made of the attic which. with
the exception of flooring will be left UNI
finished.
The building will be of pressed brick,
with terra Gotta and red stone trim
mings. Architect MacCarthy expects to
have the plans completed this week.
when the contracts will be let and work
begun as soon thereafter as possible.