The Discalced Carmelites: Buffalo; Cleveland; Dallas; Bettendorf; Detroit; Grand Rapids; New Albany; Alhambra; San Diego; Carmel

 The Carmel of Buffalo, NY, has a special relationship with St Therese the Little Flower. Read about it here:

https://www.buffalocarmel.org/buffalo-carmel-history

The Cleveland Heights, OH, Carmel has closed. A developer has bought the property, and plans to raze the building. The Cloister wall, however, has escaped the wrecking ball. The developer has a use for it. 

Article: https://www.cleveland.com/community/2020/06/cleveland-heights-council-gets-update-on-local-development-in-the-pandemic.html

Dallas, TX, still has their Carmel:

https://www.dallascarmelites.com/

Here's a history: https://materdeiparish.com/support-the-carmelite-nuns/

The Carmel of Bettendorf, IA, actually began in Davenport. This amazing monastery was vacated by the nuns when they relocated to Eldridge. (Unfortunately, that website is down). After the property was used as a boutique hotel -- after the Protestants then the Franciscans -- the owner developed an addiction treatment center. 

https://www.theabbeycenter.com/

And it's history: 

https://www.psychcongress.com/article/monastery-treatment-center

The Carmel of Detroit, MI, is now located in Clinton Township. Here's the website:

https://carmelctwp.org/

The Detroit Carmel's first home was on Webb Avenue. Then a more substantial monastery was built on Wyoming Avenue. The building has been repurposed as a homeless shelter/transitional housing, called COTS Peggy's Place:

https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2013/08/homeless_in_detroit_deep_in_th.html

COTS is the anacronym for Coalition in Temporary Shelter. 

Grand Rapids' Carmel built a new monastery in Parnell in the early 1990s: 

http://www.carmelitenuns.org/

The original monastery is now being utilized as an autism outreach center:

http://www.historygrandrapids.org/embeding/1689

New Albany's Carmel moved from there to Indianapolis. Eventually, the steady stream of Vocations evaporated, and the community was forced to put the monastery on the market. The Oldenburg Franciscan Sisters have taken in the nuns. The latter are now known as the Carmelites of Oldenburg:

https://ccacarmels.org/oldenburg/

The former monastery is now the Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary:

https://bishopsimonbrute.org/

The Alhambra, CA, Carmel is still located in their 1913 purpose-built monastery. Named for St Teresa of Avila, here is their site:

https://www.carmelteresa.org/

San Diego's Carmel also enjoys stability -- earthquakes notwithstanding:

https://www.carmelsandiego.com/

As does Carmel-by-the-Sea:

https://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.org/

Morristown, NJ, perseveres:

https://www.carmelnj.org/

The Carmel of Seattle is in their third building, and has just celebrated a double solemn profession!

https://seattlecarmel.org/photoalbums/solemn-profession-2021

Tucson, Arizona, had a monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns at one time.  However, I am unable to share anything with the reader because the provincial office never returned my email. 

Last, but certainly not least, the former Carmelite monastery in Wheeling, WV, has been purchased by an entrepreneur. He plans to turn the building into a boutique hotel:

https://weelunk.com/monastery-rebuilds-look-inside-mount-carmels-changing-walls-beating-heart/

That being said, we conclude with the Discalced Carmelites, and I will return to discuss the Visitation -- or another pertinent post.  Please stay tuned. 

The Discalced Carmelites: Port Tobacco; Baltimore; Boston; New Orleans; The Bronx; Philly; St Louis; Santa Clara; Schenectady; Altoona; Brooklyn

 The Discalced Carmelites were the first contemplatives in the United States. The Carmel of Port Tobacco, MD, is built on the site of the original monastery. Here's the page describing their history: 

https://www.carmelofporttobacco.com/community/our-history

The Carmel of Baltimore, MD, was founded after the Port Tobacco situation deteriorated. More here from Baltimore's site:

https://www.baltimorecarmel.org/history-of-our-community/

Boston, MA, Carmel has the oldest extant Carmelite monastery in the US:

https://carmelitesofboston.org/about-us/history-of-boston-carmel/

The Carmel of New Orleans has been bought by a local entrepreneur. This article is dated 2016. If anyone has any other information, please leave a comment. 

https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_71dc1232-7842-58b8-b422-adc2c2f943e5.html

The Carmel of the Bronx moved to Beacon, NY. This is the only mention of the Bronx monastery I have been able to find:

https://www.carmelitesbeacon.org/copy-of-sister-mary

The Carmelite monastery of Philadelphia, PA, is in great need of prayer. The traditional Valparaiso Carmelites have moved back to Nebraska, leaving a few people behind to care for the grounds.  This is the Carmel's website:

https://philadelphiacarmelites.org/ 

The Carmel of St Louis has the unique privilege of Eucharistic Adoration. More from their website:

https://www.stlouiscarmel.com/

The Santa Clara Carmel is apparently still functioning. They don't have a website, per se, but a page on the Mary, Queen of Carmel Association's site:

https://www.mary-queen-of-carmel-assoc.org/santaclara/

The Carmelites of Rochester, NY, moved in with the Sisters of St Joseph. The Carmel of Schenectady had to close due to their neighborhood growing violent. The nuns of the latter moved into the Rochester Carmel. More information here:

https://catholiccourier.com/articles/carmelites-devoted-to-prayer-god

The Altoona, PA, Carmel moved to Loretto:

https://lorettocarmel.org/the-founding-of-loretto-carmel/

The Brooklyn. NY, Carmel was refounded. Here's the story:

https://brooklyncarmel.org/our-community

Please stay tuned for the second post regarding the Discalced Carmelites. 

The Ursulines: York; Paola; St Ignace; Malone; Cincinnati; Kenmore; Caldwell

York, NE, still has the school, and the same church, but the buildings shown in Dehey are no longer standing:

https://stjosephyork.com/school-about/our-history 

Paola, KS,' motherhouse was sold after the Sisters there merged with the Maple Mount Ursulines. This article is from 2018: 

https://www.republic-online.com/news/local_news/big-plans/article_6a999e50-6536-5e6b-83fa-fd20cb04449a.html

However, the transitional housing for those ageing out of the foster system didn't come to pass. 

This article discusses the sale from a year ago:

https://www.republic-online.com/news/local_news/sale-of-ursuline-sisters-property-officially-closes/article_2fef036a-64ab-11e9-bbcc-8be5817a10a3.html

St Ignace, MI, no longer has an Ursuline school. Here's the history of the parish and school. Scroll way down to see the complex: 

http://www.stigchurch.org/early-history.htm

The former academy was converted into condos. Here's a few real estate listings:

Apartment 3: 

https://www.trulia.com/p/mi/saint-ignace/380-church-st-3-saint-ignace-mi-49781--2052760369

Apartment 9:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/380-Church-St-APT-9-Saint-Ignace-MI-49781/2095555014_zpid/

Apartment 10:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/380-Church-St-Apt-10_Saint-Ignace_MI_49781_M39683-47327

Malone, NY, no longer has an Ursuline presence. This article explains:

http://northcountrycatholic.org/Articles/2016/7_6Ursulines.html

Cincinnati, OH: 

https://cincinnatiursuline.org/our-history/

Kenmore, ND:

https://ursulinesmsj.org/st-agnes-school-kenmare-n-d/

Last, but not least, Caldwell, OH. A parishioner was kind enough to send me the history of the convent. The Sisters eventually moved their motherhouse to Alton, IL. (The building was mentioned as being For Sale in a previous post). St Ursula Academy stood where the Caldwell parish church currently stands. 

A recollection from Mrs JR:

The Nuns continued to teach at Fulda, St. Mary after the Motherhouse was transferred to Old Washington. They stayed in the convent home at Fulda, Ohio, while teaching school and religious classes on the weekend for those students who attended public school.

The High School at Fulda was closed in1962, but the Ursuline Sisters continued teaching until 1969 when the grade school was closed, and on weekends to all the parish students. They also had two weeks of instructions for students who attended public school.

I had Sister Scholastica, Sister Bernarda, and Sister Aloysius during my 12 school years at St. Mary’s Fulda.

My Mother, who went to the Fulda school also, had these teachers, plus others. I attended public school.

The Sisters kept up to date with all that the students were doing. They even knew what songs and bands we listened to. I don’t know if they liked the music but they knew about it. I enjoyed my lessons from them and will always remember them. They are deceased now.

Ursuline Vocation Links:

Roman Union: https://ursulines-roman-union.org/en/

Ursuline Education:

https://ursuline-education.com/

The Ursulines of Tildonk were not mentioned in Dehey, but they are needing funds to care for their elderly sisters:

https://www.tildonkursuline.org/

Here ends the Ursuline Posts.  Please stay tuned for the Discalced Carmelites. 

The Ursulines: Maple Mount; Youngstown; Frontenac; New Rochelle; Great Falls; Waterville

Mount St Joseph in KY is still vibrant. They offer a retreat center, in addition to their education Ministry.  Tours of the property are available, as well:

https://ursulinesmsj.org/visit-the-mount/

The former Youngstown Convent is shown by this blogger. Be sure to read the comments!

http://youngstownpride.blogspot.com/2005/11/ursuline-convent.html

Present Ursuline Convent of Youngstown, OH, Angela's Villa:

https://www.theursulines.org/

Frontenac, MN, however, has not fared as well:

https://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/ursulines-bid-farewell-villa-maria-retreat-center-near-lake-pepin/

Villa Maria venue:

 https://www.villamariamn.com/

The College of New Rochelle (New York) had started as the College of St Angela. Then, it became Mercy College after the Sisters of Mercy bought the institution. After merger with yet another college, the combined colleges became the College of New Rochelle. The castle-like structure shown in Dehey is still there. The library was named for Mother Irene Gill, the Ursuline foundress of the college. 

The college was forced to close as a result of financial issues: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_New_Rochelle

The Ursuline Academy of Great Falls, MT, has been converted to a combination venue and museum: 

https://www.u-centre.org/

A preschool is offered, as well. 

The Waterville, Maine, Mount Merici school is still in operation. The former school and Convent were slated to become senior housing. The local newspaper has a paywall, so I can't post the stories. The Diocese of Portland has this story, though:

https://portlanddiocese.org/harvest/serving-and-studying-ursuline-way

The last seven locations mentioned by Dehey will be covered in Part IV. 

The Ursulines: Louisville; Columbia; Alton; Tiffin; Pittsburgh

 The Ursulines are still present in Louisville, KY. They have retained their motherhouse with the unique octagonal chapel: 

https://ursulinesisterslouisville.org/ 

The Cloister Apartments are in the former Ursuline Academy of the Immaculate Conception:  

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/806-E-Chestnut-St-APT-9-Louisville-KY-40204/2092810170_zpid/

The order maintains a presence in Columbia, SC. This historical marker tells of the buildings previously occupying the space now held by the school:

https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMGX3T_Ursuline_Convent_Columbia_South_Carolina 

The Alton, IL, motherhouse is for sale. The zoning has been changed to assisted living:  

https://www.crexi.com/properties/279626/illinois-845-danforth-street

A blog account regarding the Ursulines of Tiffin, OH:

http://catholictoledo.blogspot.com/2008/04/ursuline-convent-and-academy-tiffin.htm

Ursuline Academy of Pittsburgh, PA:

https://ursulinesisterslouisville.org/ursuline-academy-pittsburgh/

Here ends The Ursulines Part II.

The Ursulines: New Orleans; St Martin; Galveston; Dallas; Kirkwood; Cleveland; Toledo; New York City

The Order of St Ursula (OSU), whom we know and love here in the US, originated from one of the first secular institutes in the church, the Company of St Ursula, or the Angelines:

 https://companyofstursula.org/who-we-are/our-foundress-saint-angela-merici/

The monastic version of the Ursulines were cloistered by St Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, Italy. He had requested members of the Company of St Ursula to teach in his See. 

There is conflicting information regarding the enclosure of the group, however. One says that the Sisters themselves requested enclosure, and reconfiguration as a monastic order. Another says St Borromeo forced them to "take advantage of their Bull" (papal document) that the Company of St Ursula had received upon Papal approval, and enclosed them. The event was after the Council of Trent, which mandated the enclosure of women religious. 

(A bit of a disclaimer as we go forward: I am not trying to reproduce Dehey here, I am posting with the intention of "where are they now?" That being said, I am not implying that the Ursulines of New Orleans founded the community located in X when I speak of the different sites. Now back to the tour). 

According to Dehey, the first convent in the United States was that of the Ursulines in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately, the website for the convent-museum is down, so here is the history from the oldest school for girls in continuous operation in the US, the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans: 

https://www.uanola.org/about/ursuline-heritage

The Ursulines then set down roots in St Martin, Brown County, Ohio. According to this page, the Brown County congregation is "nearing completion":

https://chatfield.edu/news/ursulines-act-preserve-character-brown-co-property/

The Texas locations of Galveston and Dallas are listed next. The Galveston convent was known as "The Queen" before it was damaged-beyond-repair by Hurricane Carla in 1961. An alumna writes about her alma mater:

https://www.galvnews.com/opinion/guest_columns/article_3e09c07d-8019-511e-a9a5-f9d10504a390.html

The Ursuline Academy of Dallas is still going strong. Here's their history page:

https://www.ursulinedallas.org/mission/heritage

The original Ursuline Convent in St Louis, Missouri, now houses the St Joseph Croatian Catholic Church. Their history page: 

http://www.stjosephcroatiancatholicchurch.com/about/

The Sisters removed the convent and school to the Kirkwood area:

 https://www.ursulinestl.org/

Arcadia Academy is now a venue:

https://www.arcadiaacademy.com/history

The Cleveland, Ohio, foundation eventually moved to Pepper Pike, and established Ursuline College:

https://www.ursuline.edu/why-ursuline/our-heritage

The Toledo, Ohio, Ursulines had this incredible campus built, pictured in Dehey:

https://www.collingwoodartscenter.org/ 

Eventually, the sisters moved here:

https://www.ursulinecenter.org/about-us/history/

One congregation of Ursulines opened the Academy of Mt St Ursula in New York City. They moved to the Bedford Park area of the Bronx, and have been there ever since:

https://www.amsu.org/who-we-are

The Sisters have converted their Convent into green living space for seniors recently:

https://www.cny.org/stories/ursulines-convent-reopens-as-green-housing-for-seniors,5538

Here ends The Ursulines, Part I. 

Where to Buy the Tomes

 The Dehey tomes have gone into Print-on-Demand, or POD. This brings with it a caveat -- clarify with the bookseller before purchasing a Dehey POD. The 1913 edition is around 500 pages, as opposed to the 1930 revised edition, which is north of 900 pages. 

Bookfinder.com will show a more complete list of available Dehey books, but, please remember my previous paragraph when contemplating a purchase.  

The easiest way to follow this blog is to go straight to the bookseller who reprinted the 1930 revised edition: 

https://stathanasiuspress.com/product/religious-orders-of-women-in-the-u-s-by-elinor-tong-dehey/

I have two of the St Athanasius Press reprints. One is a first edition.  The leatherette covers are different due to the publishers used by the press at the time (according to the bookseller). 

Preliminary research has led me to offer this link for the sake of those who taught or cared for us in earlier days:

Support Our Aging Religious (SOAR!):  https://soar-usa.org/

Please be generous. SOAR! receives the donations, then disseminates the funds via grants. The religious congregations are responsible for making application according to need. 

Blessings, Gemma