HISTORY OF THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME
IN COLUMBUS, OHIO

On August 27, 1855, four Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur arrived in Columbus, Ohio, and ministered at three parishes:  St. Remigius (which later merged with Holy Cross), Holy Cross and St. Patrick.

In 1872, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were asked by Bishop Rosecrans to found an Academy in Columbus, Ohio.  Under the direction of Sister Louise and Sister Mary Liguori, and with the financial backing of ten prominent citizens, the Rich Street property (where Franklin University now stands) was purchased in early 1874.  During that winter, building plans were completed and a construction contract was signed on March 1, 1874.

Although construction of the school was soon under way, the success of the project was in no way assured.  Sister Mary Liguori's special devotion to St. Joseph was readily shared by her community and the entire venture was placed under his patronage.

St. Joseph Academy opened its doors for registration on September 6, 1875.  Sister Joseph Ignatius, the first principal, enrolled thirty students who occupied the three classrooms completed at that time:  the Rhetoric Room, the First Grammar Room, and the Preparatory Room.  Tuition was eight dollars a quarter for the Rhetoric Room, seven dollars for the First Grammar Room, and five dollars for the Preparatory Room.

June 24, 1878 marked the first Graduation held at the Academy with Blanche Filler as the sole graduate.  August 1879 brought plans for additional convent space while the school's reputation for excellence continued to grow, especially in the fields of music and fine arts.

In 1900, St. Joseph Academy celebrated its Silver Jubilee and also began the Alumnae Association.

The 1920s brought many changes:  the addition of lay teachers, the dedication of the new high school building in 1925, the first yearbooks in 1924 and 1926, and the Valentine luncheon and fall festival.

Although enrollment dropped during the Depression, the prosperity accompanying World War II brought a return of larger class sizes.  The Academy continued to grow through the 1950s, graduating its largest senior class in 1959.

In 1968, the Montessori method was introduced at the Academy and its students were housed in the newly completed Main Street elementary building.

The following are schools and programs where the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have ministered in Columbus, Ohio: