Hall of the Divine Child facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hall of the Divine Child |
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| Address | |
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810 West Elm Avenue
, Michigan 48162
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| Coordinates | 41°55′18″N 83°24′19″W / 41.92167°N 83.40528°W |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Closed | 1980 |
| Ownership | Sisters, Servants of the IHM |
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Hall of the Divine Child
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| Built | 1918 |
| Architect | Henry J. Rills |
| NRHP reference No. | 100000885 |
| Added to NRHP | April 17, 2017 |
The Hall of the Divine Child was a special school for kids from kindergarten to eighth grade. It was a boarding school in Monroe, Michigan, which means many students lived there. The school was built in 1918 and closed its doors in 1980. After it closed, the building was changed into apartments called "Norman Towers." In 2017, this historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important places in the United States.
Contents
History of the Hall of the Divine Child
How the School Started
In 1915, a church leader named Bishop John Samuel Foley asked the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to build a boarding school just for boys. Construction began that same year. However, World War I caused delays. The school finally opened in January 1918. It started with 26 students. Most students lived at the school, but some attended during the day.
Changes Over the Years
At first, the school also had girls from grades 1-6. These girls were attending St. Mary's Academy. In 1932, the girls moved to a new building. Then, the Hall of the Divine Child started offering high school classes.
In 1936, the school became a military academy. This meant students wore special uniforms and learned military drills. By 1938, a regulation drill uniform was adopted. In 1941, many students wanted to join the school. So, the high school program was stopped. The school went back to teaching only kindergarten through eighth grade.
Later Years and Closure
The school had the most students in the mid-1950s, with about 350 kids. But after that, fewer students enrolled. Also, it cost more and more to run the school. Because of these reasons, the Hall of the Divine Child closed in 1980.
In the early 1980s, the sisters who owned the school sold the building. It was bought by a group that turned it into apartments for older adults. These apartments were named "Norman Towers." Later, in the late 1990s, the sisters got the building back. They sold it again in 2005. As of 2017, there were plans to fix up and improve the building.
What the Building Looks Like
The Hall of the Divine Child is a large building. It has four and a half stories. It is made of red brick with special limestone decorations. The front of the building has a tall, castle-like tower. This tower has battlements and turrets, which look like parts of an old castle.
