University of St. Mary of the Lake Records
1856-1861.
Origination : Congregation of Holy Cross. Indiana Province.Extent : 1 linear foot
Repository : University of Notre Dame Archives
Address : Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
English.
Legal Status
PrivateAdministrative Information
Open for research.
Source
Congregation of Holy Cross. Indiana Province.
Preferred Citation
University of St. Mary of the Lake Records (SMY), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556
Scope and Content
Three ledgers and a few related loose papers having to do with the early administration of Saint Mary of the Lake University in Chicago by the Congregation of Holy Cross: (1) "Tuition and general accounts of Students in St. Mary's University from Aug 3rd 1856 to date June 15th 1861"; (2) Waste Book of chronological financial transactions, 1 July 1858 to 22 June 1860, with an initial page summarizing earlier accounts; (3) Receipts and Expense Book 1 November 1857 to 31 May 1860. The loose pages include one financial ledger page with the heading "Sisters of Holy Cross To St Mary's of the Lake" from March 1860.
Background
In his Chronicles for 1856, Father Edward Sorin mentions "the foundation of Chicago, consisting of one college, three Brothers' schools, three Sisters' schools, and an industrial school" and says: "We now come to the most important of all the dependencies of the Province of Indiana. If heaven bless this work the house of Chicago will probably share in the destinies of the city in which it is located. Now it is the opinion of the public that Chicago will be one of the first cities of the Union. Its growth is unparalleled." He also describes the agreement between the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the bishop, binding for fifty years. But in 1857 he complains that the bishop refused to abide by his promises, in 1859 considers withdrawing, in 1861 speaks of efforts "to drive the community out by a system of mean annoyances" -- and when his efforts at reconciliation were spurned wrote (8 June 1861): "To Mgr. Duggan, D.D., Chicago. Monseigneur, I request you that if in reality you want us to leave the premises which we occupy in Chicago, you will have the kindness to signify to us in writing your orders to this effect, so that we may have some document to justify us, if necessary, in this step. Very Respectfully, E. Sorin".
Index
Congregation of Holy Cross. Indiana Province.University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary