The Irish standard., 1904-07-16


same studies there. The proposed
Randolph street car line will pass the
grounds of st. GATHERINGS college.
ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY, COLI
LEGEVILLE.
ST. Johns University, conducted by
Fathers of the Order of ST. Benedict,
is one of the largest Catholic insttu-
tions of learning in the northwest 1t
was founded in 1857, in which year the
territorial legislature of Minnesota
granted Il charter constituting the
order of st. Benedict a body corporate
and polite, with authority to estab-
lish ''St. Johns seminary" The insti-
tuition. however, became better known
under the name of ''St. Johns college,"
In 1860 the state legislature empower
ed it to confer all university degrees.
and by an act of the Minnesota legis-
lature in 1883 the title of the insttu-
tIOil was ClltllScu W 81. sJollll > l. III
versity."
The presidents of st. Johns have
been: Very Rev. Fathers Demetrius
de Morogna, Cornelius Whitman. Bell
edict Haindl, Otlmar Wirtz and Wolf
gang Northman, Rt. Rev. Bishop Seid-
enbusch, Rt Rev. Abbot AleXius Edel-
brock and Rt Rev. Abbot Bernard
Locnikar Rt. Rev. Peter Engel is at
the head Of the institution now and
has been since 1894.
Far removed from the busy turmoil
of city life. st. Johns has an ideal To-
cation for an educational institution
1t lies one mile and Il half south of
Collegeville station on the main line
of the Great Northern railway, eighty
five miles from st. Paul. and twelve
miles from st. Cloud. 1t is situated OH
the north bank of ST. Johns lake, Il
sheet Of crystal water, covering more
beautiful islands and indented with
picturesque bays teenling with fish
and surrounded by the virgin forest,
thus rendering it one of the most de-
lightful of NIinnesota's famous lakes.
The regular grounds of the students
comprise over 100 acres, affording am
pie room for the extensive Fairgrounds
which are furnished with base ball
diamonds, handball and lawn tennis
courts, as well as for delightful, shady
walks.
All the buildings are massive struc-
lures, erected of red brick and present
ing an imposing appearance. They are
heated by steam and lighted by elec
tricity. The main buildings form Il
vast square measuring 2G0 feet on
each side, with wing 40 by 100, ex-
tending the east front. They average
five stories in height and cover an
area of 1000 square yards. The build
ingS fronting east are occupied by the
religious community Of st. Johns
Abbey. The north, south and rear
wings are devoted to college and sem
mary purposes. \ beautiful church,
decorated in fresco. forms part of the
main buildings. and is reached without
exposure to the inclemcncies OF the
weather.
One of the finest gymnasiums in the
northwest is found at st. Johns. 1t
contains track hall twenty-five feet
high. covering an area GO by SO feet,
for the use of the large students.
\ few feet south from the main
buildings stands the library building.
which. together with the gymnasium,
was erected only two years ago. 1t is
IL three-story building of thoroughly
tire-proof construction. covering an
area of 80 by IS feet. The lower floor
is devoted entirely to the accommodate
ton of the facrlty's extensive library.
The second floor is occupied by the
university's valuable collection of spec
linens representing the various depart
ments of the natural sciences. The
third floor is devoted to the musical
department of the institution.
The astronomical observatory stands
ON the hill east of the main building.
1t has a revolving dome, a transit room
and a computing room, and is well
equipped with all the necessary instru-
ments.
The supervision of the educational
work is in the hands of the director
and Of the prefect Of studies in the
collegiate department. and of the rec
tor and the prefect Of studies in the
ecclesiastical seminary. The present
officers are: Rt. Rev. Peter Engel.
president; Rev. Leonard Kapsner, di-
rector: Rev. Bernard Kevenhoerster.
rector of the seminary; Rev. Michael
OFT, prefect of studies.