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The Story of Notre Dame
Brother Aidan's Extracts


SORINSVILLE, INDIANA

(Sorin's town.. 1858) "The room for the priest in Lowell must be built immediately, as also a school house in Sorin's town, 20' X 16' or 18'"

-- Local Council. Nov. 15, 1858.

"Latest foundation of Brothers is one mile from Notre Dame, among 20 to 30 Irish families settled between the city and college, and for whom a school was built last year and a teacher provided, who goes every morning to take charge of some 30-35 children. They pay perhaps for light and fuel."

-- Sorin Chronicles. 1860.

"General Council wants to know if the establishment of Sorinsville was regularly authorized. Where is it? Whence its name? Is it a school established for a year between Lowell and Notre Dame? Couldn't they give it a saint's name?" September 20, 1864

By an obedience Brother Romuald was to teach in New Dublin (Sorinsville) August 18, 1864.

(1865) "More than 25 families now. No sooner was this part of the college grounds laid out in lots than Catholic laborers came to settle there, knowing that they could get work the whole year around at the college...or at the factory of Lowell only a mile distant.... There stands a pretty little school house in the midst, built for lads of Sorinsville, conducted by a Brother."

-- Guide to Notre Dame, 1865.

(1865) Thirty years ago Chicago had scarcely a place on the map, the whole region between that city and Toledo was, as respects commerce, agriculture and social life, almost a blank. There was then but the missionary's loneliness, his weary watching, his forced fasts, his rude hut, and his conquests for God.... You notice here quite a large number of houses; they constitute what is called Sorinsville. It was named after its venerated founder, Rev. E. Sorin. Laborers desiring to secure steady work, ground of their own, good education for their children, and benefit of church services daily or weekly, must feel how advantageous it would be for them to purchase a lot in this nascent town. The price of lots is very moderate, and they may be paid for in labor, trade, or long credits. Those already settled here are beginning to display an air of order, neatness, economy, and prosperity.

"There stands the pretty little school house...etc."1865


‹— Brother Aidan's Extracts —›