St. Ann's Academy (Victoria, British Columbia) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St. Ann’s Academy
Main building
General information
Architectural style	French Canadian - Quebec Provincial
Location	835 Humboldt Street Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1B1
Country	Canada
Construction started	1858 Chapel 1871 School 1886 & 1909 Convent
Client	Sisters of Saint Ann
Design and construction
Architect	Joseph Michaud, Charles Verheyden, John Teague, Thomas Hooper

National Historic Site of Canada
Official name: St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site of Canada
Designated:	1989

St. Ann's Academy was a special school for girls from grades 3 to 12. It also taught younger boys from kindergarten to grade 3. It was a Catholic school where some students lived (boarding) and others just came for the day.

The main building was more than just a school. It was also a home for the Sisters of Saint Ann, a group of Catholic women from Quebec. They built the school. The oldest part is the chapel, designed in 1858. It was first a cathedral and then moved to become St. Ann's Chapel in 1886. Later, more parts were added, like a convent in 1887 and another section in 1910.

History of St. Ann's Academy
Architecture of the Academy
The Academy Chapel
Other Art and Features
Images for kids
See also

History of St. Ann's Academy

The Sisters of St. Ann closed the school in 1973. They sold the property to the government of British Columbia. The government used it as offices for a few years. However, the building needed many big repairs. It had to be closed because it was not safe. For many years, people debated what to do with the building and its land.

The Provincial Capital Commission took charge of the building. The inside of the building was completely rebuilt. This included everything from the basement to the attic. They made it strong against earthquakes and added modern offices. When it was finished, most of the building was rented to the BC Ministry of Advanced Education. This use fit well with what the Sisters wanted.

The outside of this historic building was kept and fixed. The chapel, meeting rooms, and sick room were saved. They were restored to look like they did in the 1920s. The large hall at the other end of the building was also made stronger and fixed up. It is now used for public talks and music shows. The building opened again in 1997.

The chapel was no longer a church when the Sisters sold the property. After it was restored, the chapel and the garden next to it became a place for weddings and other events.

A smaller building behind the main one used to house the Victoria Conservatory of Music. This building was taken down on September 11, 2001. The music school had moved to new buildings. The area where the annex stood became a green space. This connected the Academy grounds with the nearby Beacon Hill Park.

Architecture of the Academy

St. Ann’s Academy is a great example of a building style called Quebec Colonial. This style is special to Victoria.

main building
at night
stairway entrance
noviate garden
west wing addition
west wing annex
main drive way
two styles

The Academy Chapel

St. Ann's Chapel was once the first St. Andrew's Cathedral in Victoria. Brother (who later became Father) Michaud designed the chapel. He was from the Clerics of Saint Viator.

St. Ann's Chapel
the altar
Casavant Frères organ, opus 517, built for the chapel in 1914
stained glass window
Anne & Joachim teaching Mary; main art piece
main painting
close-up
Painting of the young Jesus in the temple, "Stupebant Omnes Qui Eum Audiebant"
Annunciation painting, "Ecce Ancilla Domini"

Other Art and Features

The Sisters of Saint Ann had two cemeteries at the Academy. Many of the first sisters were buried there. In 1908, a new burial plot was opened at Ross Bay Cemetery. When the Academy closed in 1974, the first Sisters' remains were moved to the Ross Bay plot.

Many of the beautiful stained glass windows were damaged when the building was empty. They had to be rebuilt during the restoration.

Sister Mary Osithe was an artist who painted 'The Immaculate Conception'. This painting is in the Sisters' waiting room. Sister Mary Osithe also designed other schools. These include Little Flower Academy in Vancouver and St. Ann's Boys' School in Quamichan.