Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio

History

In 1854 five Ursuline Sisters arrived in Toledo, OH from Cleveland at the request of Bishop Amadeus Rappe. Located on the corner of Cherry and Erie Streets, three small frame buildings served as the site of the first Ursuline Convent and St. Ursula Academy. Four days after their arrival on December 12, the Sisters opened their doors to 200 children of all ages and grade levels. In coming to Toledo the Ursulines found nothing that resembled an organized Catholic school system and discovered a somewhat fragmented public school system. Under the direction and guidance of the Ursuline Sisters, schools were founded and were soon to bring public recognition of a well-organized parochial school system. That was the beginning.


In 1878, Bishop Gilmour requested the Toledo Ursulines to join with five Cleveland Ursulines at a new foundation, in Youngstown, OH.


In 1884, Mother Amadeus Dunne, at the request of Bishop Brondel in Montana, headed west with five Sisters to educate various tribes of Native Americans. She labored for a number of years in the West and then moved on to establish Alaskan mission schools. She never returned to Toledo and was buried at St. Ignatius in Montana. 


Meanwhile in Toledo, the Ursulines responded to the need for teachers in numerous parish schools in the diocese. There was also need for residential expansion at the Cherry and Erie Street campus. The location was far from ideal for a large residential and day school for girls. Property was purchased on Collingwood Boulevard and the building was ready for occupancy in 1905. 


In 1922, Bishop Stritch asked the Ursulines to found a diocesan liberal arts college for women, Mary Manse College.


1928 saw the opening of Nazareth Hall, a military school for boys, across from the Maumee River in Grand Rapids, OH.


St. Angela Hall came into existence in 1929, when the elementary students of St. Ursula Academy were moved to new quarters and separated from the Academy.


In the early 1980s the decision was made to move from the Collingwood property. Ursuline Center was built on the same property as St. Ursula Academy on Indian Rd.  It opened in 1985 as a residence for the retired Sisters. It also served as a gathering place for the community to meet and celebrate.


In 2004 the Center became a Medicare/Medicaid licensed Nursing Home caring for vowed religious men and women, priests, Ursuline Associates, and immediate family members of the Ursulines. After much discernment, the Ursuline Center closed in May, 2021. Discussions about the future use of Ursuline Center are being explored with St. Ursula Academy.



As consecrated women religious the Sisters today continue to unfold the spirit and vision of St. Angela Merici for the 21st Century. Sisters are working closely with the laity in a variety of volunteer ministries and expressions of the mind and heart of St. Angela.


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