St. Charles College, Maryland
Encyclopedia
St. Charles College was a seminary
college
in Catonsville, Maryland
, originally from Ellicott City, Maryland
.
signs the Declaration of Independence
for Maryland. One of the wealthiest men in the Americas, Carroll staked his fortune on the American Revolution
. After the Revolution, Carroll becomes president of the Maryland Senate and divides his time between Doughoregan Manor
and Annapolis
. At his death in 1832, he is the last surviving Signer and is laid to rest in the Family chapel at Doughoregan.
Ambrose Maréchal
, the future third archbishop of Baltimore
, and other Sulpician priests are frequent guests at Doughoregan, saying Mass
there often and gaining the ear of the Signer. It is during subsequent years that a request of land is made for a minor seminary. Carroll, however, denies the request because he feels he cannot donate any part of his patrimony.
Emily Caton MacTavish, favorite granddaughter of the Signer and sister of the "Three American Graces," convinces Carroll to give 253 acres (1 km²) to the Sulpician Fathers for the erection of a minor seminary — Saint Charles. She accomplishes this by suggesting he donate land that he had bought during his lifetime. Included is Mary's Lott, so aptly named for a gift to the Church, thought Carroll at the time.
The first building of Saint Charles Seminary is completed and the college opens with the president, Father Oliver Jenkins; a deacon, Edward Caton; and four students.
Our Lady of the Angels Chapel is completed after long delays caused by the American Civil War
. An imitation of the Sainte-Chapelle
in Paris
, the building is 110' long, 34' wide and 50' high. It is lavishly decorated mainly through the generosity of its first rector; Father Jenkins.
A vastly enlarged Saint Charles College celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The park-like grounds of Saint Charles looking southeast towards Frederick Road.
Disaster strikes: the College is completely destroyed by fire. Miraculously, none of the 200+ faculty and students is killed or injured. Sacred vessels and vestments, along with thousands of priceless manuscripts and books are all lost. The burned-out shell is pulled down and the salvageable building materials are transported to Catonsville where the College is quickly rebuilt. All that remains standing are the ruins of the 1906 Recreation Hall.
seminary
and national historic district
at Catonsville
, Baltimore County
, Maryland
, United States
. The main complex consists of six interconnected buildings, three of which form the central group: Chapel, Administration Building, and Old Dormitory. Each has a rusticated stone first floor and upper levels of buff brick with stone trim in the Italian Renaissance style. The complex includes three additional buildings: the Dining Hall, connected by a passageway; the Convent, physically attached to the Dining Hall, and the Power House.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1983.
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
in Catonsville, Maryland
Catonsville, Maryland
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:In 2010 Catonsville had a population of 41,567...
, originally from Ellicott City, Maryland
Ellicott City, Maryland
Ellicott City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The population was 65,834 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Howard County...
.
1776
Charles Carroll of CarrolltonCharles Carroll of Carrollton
Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a wealthy Maryland planter and an early advocate of independence from Great Britain. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later as United States Senator for Maryland...
signs the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
for Maryland. One of the wealthiest men in the Americas, Carroll staked his fortune on the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. After the Revolution, Carroll becomes president of the Maryland Senate and divides his time between Doughoregan Manor
Doughoregan Manor
Doughoregan Manor is a mansion located on Manor Lane near Ellicott City, Maryland, USA. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on November 11, 1971.-History:...
and Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. At his death in 1832, he is the last surviving Signer and is laid to rest in the Family chapel at Doughoregan.
1799
Archbishop Marechal
Ambrose Maréchal
Ambrose Maréchal
Most Reverend Ambrose Maréchal, S.S. was the third Archbishop of Baltimore, Maryland.Motto: Auspice Maria; "Under the protection of Mary."Ambrose Maréchal was born at Ingré near Orléans, France, on August 28, 1764...
, the future third archbishop of Baltimore
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. The archdiocese comprises the City of Baltimore as well as Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington Counties in Maryland...
, and other Sulpician priests are frequent guests at Doughoregan, saying Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
there often and gaining the ear of the Signer. It is during subsequent years that a request of land is made for a minor seminary. Carroll, however, denies the request because he feels he cannot donate any part of his patrimony.
1830
Emily Caton Mactavish
Emily Caton MacTavish, favorite granddaughter of the Signer and sister of the "Three American Graces," convinces Carroll to give 253 acres (1 km²) to the Sulpician Fathers for the erection of a minor seminary — Saint Charles. She accomplishes this by suggesting he donate land that he had bought during his lifetime. Included is Mary's Lott, so aptly named for a gift to the Church, thought Carroll at the time.
1848
St Charles Seminary
The first building of Saint Charles Seminary is completed and the college opens with the president, Father Oliver Jenkins; a deacon, Edward Caton; and four students.
1866
St Charles Chapel
Our Lady of the Angels Chapel is completed after long delays caused by the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. An imitation of the Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle
La Sainte-Chapelle is the only surviving building of the Capetian royal palace on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, France. It was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of Passion Relics, including the Crown of Thorns - one of the most important relics in medieval...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, the building is 110' long, 34' wide and 50' high. It is lavishly decorated mainly through the generosity of its first rector; Father Jenkins.
1898
Enlarged St CharlesSt Charles grounds
A vastly enlarged Saint Charles College celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The park-like grounds of Saint Charles looking southeast towards Frederick Road.
1911
Remains Today
Disaster strikes: the College is completely destroyed by fire. Miraculously, none of the 200+ faculty and students is killed or injured. Sacred vessels and vestments, along with thousands of priceless manuscripts and books are all lost. The burned-out shell is pulled down and the salvageable building materials are transported to Catonsville where the College is quickly rebuilt. All that remains standing are the ruins of the 1906 Recreation Hall.
1969
High School Department was closed and the junior college merged with the upper college of St. Mary's Seminary and renamed St. Mary's Seminary College1977
The college closed and the property was sold to Erickson Retirement Communities Inc. and is presently known as Charlestown Retirement Community.St. Charles College Historic District
St. Charles College Historic District is a historic Roman Catholic churchRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
and national historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
at Catonsville
Catonsville, Maryland
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:In 2010 Catonsville had a population of 41,567...
, Baltimore County
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The main complex consists of six interconnected buildings, three of which form the central group: Chapel, Administration Building, and Old Dormitory. Each has a rusticated stone first floor and upper levels of buff brick with stone trim in the Italian Renaissance style. The complex includes three additional buildings: the Dining Hall, connected by a passageway; the Convent, physically attached to the Dining Hall, and the Power House.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1983.
Famous alumni
- John Mattingly, Commissioner of New York City Administration for Children Services
- John SurrattJohn SurrattJohn Harrison Surratt, Jr. was accused of plotting with John Wilkes Booth to kidnap U.S. president Abraham Lincoln and suspected of involvement in the Abraham Lincoln assassination. His mother Mary Surratt was convicted of conspiracy and hanged by the United States Federal Government...
- Louis J. WeichmannLouis J. WeichmannLouis J. Weichmann was one of the chief witnesses for the prosecution in the conspiracy trial of the Abraham Lincoln assassination. Previously, he had been also a suspect because of his association with Mary Surratt's family.-Background and early life:Weichmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the...
External links
- St. Charles College Historic District, Baltimore County, including undated photo, at Maryland Historical Trust