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Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary

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Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary
Nazareth Hall as it appeared in 1924
Type
Active1923–1971
FounderAustin Dowling
Parent institution
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic
Address
3003 North Snelling Avenue[1]: 238 
,
Saint Paul, Minnesota
,
U.S.

45°02′20″N 93°10′08″W / 45.0388°N 93.1690°W / 45.0388; -93.1690
Campussuburban, 89 acres (36 ha)

Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary was a high school seminary in Arden Hills, Minnesota, serving the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1923 by Archbishop Austin Dowling, for most of its time Nazareth Hall educated students through four years of high school and the first two years of college. Over 600 alumni were eventually ordained to the priesthood. Due to declining enrollment and changing attitudes towards high school seminaries after the Second Vatican Council, it closed in 1971 with its collegiate functions being replaced by Saint John Vianney Seminary. The campus was sold and is now the site of the University of Northwestern.

History

Background

Archbishop Austin Dowling, founder of Nazareth Hall

In the early years of the Diocese of Saint Paul, its high-school and early college-aged seminarians were educated at a number of institutions. Many of the first seminarians of the diocese were tutored by bishop Joseph Crétin and other clerical teachers in the rectory next to the Cathedral of Saint Paul.[2]: 4  In 1862, Bishop Thomas Grace opened the Ecclesiastical Preparatory Seminary of St. Paul in the former cathedral. In 1867, that institution merged with the coeducational cathedral school which operated in the same building.[3]: 159  In November 1866, Grace purchased 40 acres (0.16 km2) on the shores of Lake Johanna for the purpose of establishing a permanent seminary.[2]: 9  However, after the re-opening of the Benedictine St. John's College within the diocese in 1867, those plans were stalled and seminarians were educated either at St. John's or more distant institutions in the United States or Europe.[2]: 10 

Grace's successor, John Ireland, took office in June 1884 and in December of that same year announced plans to build a seminary for the diocese which would become the University of St. Thomas.[2]: 28  The fledgling college would function as a combination of a theological seminary, minor seminary, junior college, high school, and junior high school.[2]: 35 

Founding

Following Archbishop Ireland's death in 1918, Austin Dowling became the Archbishop of St. Paul, and began to plan to separate the preparatory seminary from the College of St. Thomas, envisioning a secluded rural institution at the Lake Johanna property that would aid in recruiting both priestly candidates and financial supporters.[2]: 186 [3]: 434, 437, 438  On the first anniversary of the death of Archbishop John Ireland, Dowling established a fund to finance the building of a preparatory seminary. In the fund, $1,280,000 ($25.9 million in 2023) was raised specifically for the construction and endowment of the seminary. These plans were announced to the public in 1920, with the Romanesque-style campus estimated to cost $500,000 ($10.1 million in 2023) to construct, and planned to house 250 persons.[3]: 448, 449, 452 [4] The cornerstone of the new complex was laid by Dowling on May 21, 1922 in a solemn ceremony.[5] The architects were Maginnis & Walsh of Boston, and the seminary was completed and dedicated by September 1923.[5][3]: 452 

The redirection of diocesan funds and the withdrawal of minor seminarians had an impact upon the still-young College of Saint Thomas, as the 140 high-school age seminarians moving from St. Thomas to Nazareth Hall constituted nearly twenty percent of the student body at this time.[6] Additionally, some within the archdiocese thought that the establishment of Nazareth Hall spread the resources of the archdiocese too thinly and many criticized the separation of high-school age students as undesirable.[2]: 187 

Operation

Nazareth Hall shortly after opening

Timothy Crowley was the first rector of the seminary from 1923 to 1935. In its first year, there were 125 students.[3]: 662  In the early years, the school struggled financially, operating at a deficit according to a 1929 report.[3]: 489  Despite this, Dowling was resistant to hearing any criticism of his project, and furnished a personal suite at the school for his frequent retreats and visits there.[7]: 50  As one priest of the archdiocese stated: "Nazareth Hall was the apple of his eye and woe betide the priest or layman who dared to utter an uncomplimentary syllable about the institution, its architecture, purpose, faculty or product. Every other institution in the archdiocese was a stepchild, seldom visited except officially."[2]: 187 

Nazareth Hall covered six years of education—four years of high school and the first two years of collegiate studies. The remaining six years were done at Saint Paul Seminary. Coursework for the students included classes in Latin, Gregorian chant, math, the sciences, and social studies. Not all students who attended Nazareth ended up becoming priests, and so over time seminary leadership worked to make the curriculum suitable preparation for life outside of the priesthood.[8]

Students produced a publication called Puer Nazarenus (transl. Boy of Nazareth) which contained pieces such as poems, stories, and a humor column.[9][10] Students had basketball leagues, and played pool, handball, football, skating, skiing, table tennis, and other sports.[11] The Sisters of Saint Francis (OSF) assisted with the domestic operations of the seminary and lived in one of the wings of the building.[3]: 663 

By 1949, the institution had 226 students and over 185 alumni had been ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis; 70 had been ordained for other dioceses, one to the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church (Stephen Kocisko) and 13 for religious orders.[3]: 662  In 1962, St. Austin's House (now called Riley Hall) was added on to the main complex due to growth in the seminary body throughout the 1950s.[12] The peak enrollment for the seminary was in 1962, with 270 in the high school and 89 in the college.[13] By its closing in 1970, about 600 priests had been ordained; some 3,000 students attended Nazareth Hall during its forty-eight years of operation.[14][13]

The altar and baldachin from Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary, now at the Church of Saint Michael in Saint Michael, MN

Closing and acquisition by Northwestern College

In 1959, Archbishop William Brady ordered a feasibility study for a "4-4-4" plan for priestly formation: four years of study at Nazareth Hall, four years of study at the College of Saint Thomas, and four years of study at the Saint Paul Seminary.[15]: 256  This plan was overwhelmingly supported. However, due to declining enrollment after the Second Vatican Council, by 1967 the 4-4-4 plan seemed no longer feasible and there was a stronger desire to create a college seminary at the University of St. Thomas and close Nazareth Hall.[15]: 259  In 1968, enrollment fell from 148 the prior year to 105 with the opening of Saint John Vianney College Seminary.[8] On January 8, 1970, Archbishop Byrne announced that Nazareth Hall would close after the 1969–70 academic year.[13]

The land and buildings were sold for $2,575,000 ($19.4 million in 2023) to Northwestern College (now the University of Northwestern).[16] This decision was negatively received by the clergy of the archdiocese, especially the perceived low sale price, which was seen as the seminary being "given away."[15]: 316  The University of Northwestern presently uses the buildings for academic and administrative uses, and has preserved much of the campus in its original state.[17][18]

Buildings

A view towards the rear of the seminary chapel as it currently exists at the University of Northwestern

The campus of Nazareth Hall, which is still maintained and is in active use by the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, primarily consists of "six buildings in one."[3]: 452 [17] The "Lombard Romanesque" chapel, residence wings, and classrooms are all interconnected across 120,752 square feet.[19]

Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel

The chapel is named for Our Lady of the Annunciation and was consecrated on September 8, 1924. It originally sat 300 people and has a crypt church underneath where daily Masses were said. The square bell tower is 105 feet tall.[3]: 452 [18] The lower portion of the chapel walls are made from red Numidian marble from Africa.[11] Gray marble columns support the tile vaulted ceiling. While the apse dome has since been painted white, it was originally gold leaf.[20]

The pews have since been replaced by the University of Northwestern. The space, since renamed Nazareth Chapel by the University of Northwestern, is a popular wedding venue.[17]

Detail of the fourteenth station of the cross

Many original decorations of the chapel remain such as the Stations of the Cross. A number of artifacts from the seminary are in active use in Catholic churches across the St. Paul area. The altar and baldachin of the seminary chapel are at St. Michael's Church in St. Michael, Minnesota; the chapel statues of Mary and Joseph are at St. John Vianney Seminary; a lectern is at All Saints in Minneapolis; some kneelers, chairs and vestments are at St. Agnes in Frogtown.[18][21][22]

Mater Dei Chapel

Island Chapel

There is a small chapel, formerly called Mater Dei Chapel in an island in the middle of Lake Johanna.[23] It was originally built in 1925 as a crypt for benefactor Wilhelmine Coolbaugh, who donated the money for its construction herself, with the approval of Archbishop Dowling. However, since then her remains have been removed and reinterred at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.[24]

The exterior of the chapel is made with limestone, and above the entrance is a mosaic of an angel holding a scroll with the words "Regina Angelorum ora pro nobis" (transl. Queen of the Angels, pray for us).[24] Directly above the door is the Latin inscription "Ego mater pulchrae delectionis et timoris et agnitionis et sanctae spei" (transl. I am the mother of beautiful delight and of reverence and of knowledge and of holy hope).[24][note 1]

The interior walls are also limestone with a marble floor. Prior to the sale of the seminary, there were stained glass windows and a triptych of the Archangel Gabriel inside. The triptych above the altar, "The Adoration of the Peasants," was by American painter and muralist Frank H. Schwarz. The stained glass windows and triptych were removed after the sale, with the triptych being moved to the Byrne residence for retired priests of the archdiocese.[24][23]

Notable alumni

Archbishop-Emeritus of St. Louis, James Carlson, is a Nazareth Hall graduate.

Rectors

  • Father Timothy Crowley: 1923–1935[3]: 662 
  • Father John Cullinan: 1935–1940[46]: 162 [47]: 212 
  • Father James Connolly: 1940–1943[48]: 48 
  • Father Thomas Shanahan[49]: 256 [50]: 274 
  • Father Louis McCarthy[51]: 189 [52]: 200 
  • Father James Cecka[1]: 238 [14]
  • Father John Sankovitz: 1961–1965[53]
  • Father Richard Moudry: 1965–1970[54]

Notes

  1. ^ In the Vulgate and Douay-Rheims translation, this is a verse is numbered at Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) 24:24. Other translations may place it at Sirach 24:18, or not include it at all.[25][26][27]

References

  1. ^ a b The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1960. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1960.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Connors, Joseph (1986). Journey Toward Fulfillment : A History of the College of St. Thomas. Saint Paul, Minnesota: University of St. Thomas. ISBN 9996232182.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Reardon, James Michael (1952). The Catholic Church in the Diocese of St. Paul : from earliest origin to centennial achievement : a factual narrative. Saint Paul, Minnesota: North Central Publishing Company.
  4. ^ "Nazareth Hall, the Preparatory Seminary". The Catholic Bulletin. Vol. 11, no. 26. June 25, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved November 8, 2022 – via Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub.
  5. ^ a b "Cornerstone of Nazareth Hall is Laid". The Catholic Bulletin. Vol. 12, no. 21. May 27, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved November 8, 2022 – via Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub.
  6. ^ 1923 Kaydet Yearbook. St. Thomas College. 1923. p. 185. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Wolkenstorfer, John Christine (1999). "You shall be my people" : a history of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Strasbourg: Editions du Signe. ISBN 9782877188982.
  8. ^ a b Luiken, Reba (October 11, 2021). "Storied Catholic seminary building still stands". TheCatholicSpirit.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Puer Nazarenus". The Hallmark. Vol. XXVIII, no. 8. May 1, 1965. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  10. ^ McInerny, Ralph (2006). "Three: Spoiled Priest". I Alone Have Escaped to Tell You: My Life and Pastimes. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Sittard, Herm. "Nazareth Hall's Wooded Campus Provides Seclusion for Youths Preparing for the Priesthood". The Minneapolis Star. No. May 25, 1960. p. 41. Retrieved August 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Baden, Mark (January 12, 2018). "Designing the Dream of Nazareth Hall". University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "Archdiocese orders closing of Nazareth Hall this spring". The Minneapolis Star. January 8, 1970. p. 79. Retrieved August 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b Zyskowski, Bob, ed. (July 9, 1992). "Stories will fly at Naz Hall reunion this fall" (PDF). The Catholic Bulletin. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Athens, Mary Christine (2013). To Work for the Whole People: John Ireland's Seminary in St. Paul. New York: Paulist Press. ISBN 9780809105458.
  16. ^ Thorkelson, Willmar (November 5, 1970). "Northwestern College Sells campus, will buy Nazareth Hall". The Minneapolis Star. Retrieved November 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b c "Nazareth Hall". University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d Sonnen, John Paul (July 20, 2022). "The 100th Anniversary of the "Our Lady of the Annunciation" Chapel at Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary". Liturgical Arts Journal. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  19. ^ Baden, Mark (January 12, 2018). "Designing the Dream of Nazareth Hall". University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  20. ^ "Nazareth Chapel". University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  21. ^ Sonnen, John Paul. "Showcasing One of the Largest Vestment Collections in the United States". Liturgical Arts Journal. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  22. ^ Wiering, Maria (January 14, 2010). Towalski, Joe (ed.). "Liturgical object re-use 'keeps church's sacred art alive'" (PDF). The Catholic Spirit. Vol. 15, no. 1. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Sondag, Christine (1996). "Triptych finds new home in Bryne Residence". The magazine of the University of St. Thomas. Vol. XII, no. 4. p. 5. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d "Island Chapel". University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  25. ^ Ecclesiasticus 24:24 - Biblia Sacra Vulgata
  26. ^ Ecclesiasticus 24:24 - Douay-Rheims
  27. ^ Skehan, Patrick William; Di Lella, Alexander A. (1987). "Praise of Wisdom". The Anchor Bible: The Wisdom of Ben Sira. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. pp. 328, 330. ISBN 0-385-13517-3. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "Fr. James Byrne to Be Elevated to Bishop". The Minneapolis Star. June 28, 1947. p. 12. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Lopez, Angelina (August 3, 1996). "Byrne, former archbishop of Dubuque, dies". The Des Moines Register. p. 31. Retrieved November 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine". The Holy See. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  31. ^ Cheney, David. "Archbishop Robert James Carlson [Catholic-Hierarchy]". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  32. ^ "Paul V. Dudley Obituary". Twin Cities. November 23, 2006. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "Hilary B. Hacker, D.D. 1956-1982". The Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Catholic Army General Is Named Chief of Chaplains". The Southwest Kansas Register. August 26, 1982. p. 12. Retrieved July 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Zyskowski, Bob, ed. (August 8, 1991). "Appointments" (PDF). The Catholic Bulletin. Vol. 81, no. 32. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  36. ^ Dela Cruz, Darlene J.M. (September 13, 2013). "The composers of two much-loved hymns, performing on Oahu this month, explain how the songs came to be". Hawaii Catholic Herald. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  37. ^ "Pope Accepts Resignations". The St. Louis Review. Vol. 31, no. 26. July 2, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via The Catholic News Archive.
  38. ^ "The Most Reverend John Francis Kinney". St. Cloud Times. October 2, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Zyskowski, Bob, ed. (July 25, 1991). "Names in the news" (PDF). The Catholic Bulletin. Vol. 81, no. 30. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  40. ^ "New bishop appointed for Byzantine Catholics". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 15, 1991. p. 5. Retrieved November 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Most Reverend Raymond A. Lucker, S.T.D." Diocese of New Ulm. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008.
  42. ^ McPartlin, Mary Kay (May 11, 2021). "Meet Bishop Richard E. Pates". Our Northland Diocese. Diocese of Crookston. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  43. ^ "Archbishop John Roach Dies Friday". St. Thomas Newsroom. July 14, 2003. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  44. ^ "Most Reverend John R Roach". Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. January 15, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  45. ^ "Stumpf, Jr., Peter P. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  46. ^ The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1936. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1936.
  47. ^ The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1940. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1940.
  48. ^ Code, Joseph Bernard (1964). Dictionary of the American Hierarchy (1789-1964). New York: Joseph F. Wagner, Inc.
  49. ^ The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1945. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1945. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  50. ^ The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1948. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1948.
  51. ^ The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1949. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1949.
  52. ^ The Official Catholic Directory Anno Domini 1952. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1952.
  53. ^ "Please Remember in Your Prayers Monsignor John Sankovitz". St. Thomas Newsroom. University of St. Thomas. August 31, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  54. ^ Wiering, Maria, ed. (June 21, 2018). "Msgr. Moudry's ministry focused on pastoral care" (PDF). The Catholic Spirit. Vol. 23, no. 13. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
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