The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-23
ST. MARIA HOME FOR WORKING GIRLS.

presented Itself to the society. but was
speedily solved by Mrs. Banigan who
donated the old Governor Fenner home
stead On Governor street. The society At
once t,ok possession and inauRurated It's
philanthropic plans. The formal entrance
was observed in May. 1891.
Rapid Growth Of the Society.
1t did not take the society long to out
grow its quarters in the old Fenner home.
The tax upon the rest urces OF the build
ing demonstrated In very short time
that the present facilities were entirely
inadequate to the dcmaud. A neighbor-
ing cottage was added and still che So
ciety was unable to accommodate all
those who sought admission. Since the
founding Of the society in 1890
$50 girls have been accommodated
at the home. Five hundred and twenty
six have been accommodated within the
| st two years. The girls range In age
from fourteen to twenty years.
Tho Now Building Begun.
The present building is the gift of
Joseph Bsnigan. The gift Is the result
of an fer made to the society, In
which Mr. Banigan agreed to donats
home, not to exceed $4,000 in cost, pro-
vidsd that the society raise SIS. 900. the In
To, est alone to be used and devoted to the
expenses OF board for members OF the
home.
The ladies in charge lost no time IN
collecting the stipulated amount aud SIS,
600 was soon In their possession In cold
cash.
The work Of buildinR the home began
at once
Plans submitted by Martin 81 Hall. %
Custom House street, were approved.
and the firm was engaged rs archit cts
How IL win Look.
The new home will be situated on the
east side Of Governor street on the origi-
nal site Of the old Governor Fenner prop
cry. 1t will stand just opposite Young
Orchard avenue. 1t is desigt ed after the
style Of the French Renaissance period
AMI will be hands ,mc and imposing
structure. 1t is built OF red brick.
The main building stands three stories
high and an above-ground basement
brings 1t up to very nearly four stories
The building will have accommodations
for 100 girls with the added ADVANTAGE
that each Girl will be provided with a
room 10 herself.
In front OF the building will be hand
some lawn laid out so as to slope toward
tue street, thus placing the building on
a commanding eminence. Ia front Of the
lawn will be low wrought-ron fence of
handsome design. There will be two
main entrance driveways OF circular form
and paw d with white gravel.
The home itself will be marvel of mr.
taft, rahf aoft nd tnt.
utility. IL will be composed Of main
building and two wings, both larger than
the malu building. A large veralua Is
situated in front OF the main structure
and gives entrance for the Clergy. en-
ployes and guests alone. On each side
is another smaller rentrance.
side are two p ,rlors, each 14xl5k
feet dimensions. Leading from these
are two smaller rooms, a study AID a
library. thoroughly equipped. The front
hall opens into n long corridor which
ruus the entire length Of the building.
On the east side are suites for clergymen
and for guests.
The Wings
Both wings are exactly alike ard sub
serve similar purposes. n
The dornitOries are located In the
wings and are most excellently arranged
Rs to general co nfort and sanitation.
In the rear half Of each wing are lavato-
ries, baths dumb walters to the kitchen,
ana a chute 10 he laundry.
In the upper stories are chambers aud
suites TO be devoted TO the use OF guests
aud the sisters in charge.
Uses OF the Basement.
In the basement are servants sleeping
rooms. dining rooms, Kitchen and serv.