Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Academy facts for kids
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Mount Saint Mary's Academy and Convent
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 410 South Church Street Grass Valley, California |
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| Built | 1865 or 1866 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival-Renaissance Revival-Georgian Revival-Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000543 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 3, 1974 |
Mount Saint Mary's Academy and Convent is a special historic building in Grass Valley, California. It was once known by several names, including the Sacred Heart Convent and Holy Angels Orphanage. This building is the only original orphanage still standing in California. It honors the Sisters of Mercy, a group of religious women who helped people in need.
Today, this beautiful building is home to the Grass Valley Museum. You can find it at 410 South Church Street. The building has a unique look, mixing Gothic Revival, Victorian, and Georgian Revival styles.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Mount Saint Mary's
The story of Mount Saint Mary's began with a group of brave women. In 1854, eight Sisters of Mercy arrived in San Francisco from Ireland. One of them was Mother Mary Baptist Russell. These Sisters were dedicated to helping others.
In 1863, five Sisters, including Mother Baptist, came to Grass Valley. They wanted to help children who had lost their parents during the California Gold Rush. A special ceremony took place on May 2, 1865, when the cornerstone for the new convent and orphanage was laid. The Sisters moved into the building in March 1866. Soon after, in April 1866, the first children found a home there.
The orphanage helped many children until it closed in 1932. The building was no longer used as a religious center after 1968. However, its story didn't end there! In 1969, a group called the Grass Valley Historic Preservation Committee started working. They helped repair and save the building, even restoring the Sisters' beautiful rose garden. Today, the Mount Saint Mary's Academy still operates as a school.
Building Mount Saint Mary's: How It Was Built
This impressive building stands three stories tall. It cost about $19,856 to build and furnish, which was a lot of money back then! Each floor had a special purpose:
- The first floor was built with strong stone. It held classrooms, a dining room, kitchen, laundry, and storage areas.
- The second floor was made of brick. This floor had a chapel, more classrooms, a library, and parlors (sitting rooms).
- The third floor was also made of brick. It was used for dormitories (sleeping areas) and an infirmary (a place for sick people).
Honoring a Landmark: Special Designations
Mount Saint Mary's is a very important building in Nevada County, California. It has been recognized in two special ways:
- It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a nationally important historic site.
- It is also a California Historical Landmark, number 855. It received this honor on April 24, 1972.
A special plaque on the building tells its story:
Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Academy
Built by Reverend Thomas J. Dalton, the Sacred Heart Convent and Holy Angels Orphanage was dedicated May 2, 1865 by Bishop Eugene O'Connell. Under the Sisters of Mercy, it served from 1866 to 1932 as the first orphanage of the Northern Mines. It functioned as an academy from 1868 to 1965 and as a convent from 1866 to 1968.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation placed this plaque on the building on October 28, 1972.
See also
