Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MT. ST. ROSE SCHOOL
MT. ST. ROSE SCHOOL. The land on which FOUNTAIN PARK was located was originally the mansion and estate of Robert BONSON. On July 2, 1915, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd purchased the estate when their building, Hennessy Hall at LORAS COLLEGE, became too small. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, incorporated in Iowa in 1903, were considered pioneers in the field of child care and in 1949 were one of 397 convents devoted to the same work throughout the world. (1) They operated Mt. St. Rose School, one of more than sixty similar schools operated by the Sisters in the United States to help the “rehabilitation and restoration of delinquent or neglected girls.” These girls from ages 13-21, referred by social agencies, parents, relatives, parish priests, and juvenile courts, came to this school to become self-sufficient in society. By 1950 the Sisters had provided nearly 2,000 girls with a new chance at life. (2)
A four story dormitory building was erected in 1916. In 2010 this was known as the Springs Building, an office building. The original dormitory housed girls, classrooms and included a large area on the second floor that served as their chapel. The school grew and lack of space became a problem. In July 1929, permission was given to the sisters to build a chapel. It was completed in November 1930. (3)
The unique “L” shaped chapel separated the Sisters from the girls during worship services. The Sisters sat in the wing facing the front of the altar. The girls sat in the wing with the arches due to the fact they were only allowed to view the side of the altar. The original location of the altar and altar rails were on the floor space where the raised dining area of Rafters restaurant was later located. Additionally, the building was built to include a 300-seat theater in the lower level. (4)
The Sisters operated Mt. St. Rose School at this location for thirty-five years. As attendance of the school decreased, the maintenance of the facility became difficult. In 1950, with the approval from Rome, the property was sold to the DOMINICAN ORDER for a seminary. This became ST. ROSE OF LIMA HOUSE OF STUDIES. (5)
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Source:
1. "Iowa Elks Give Mt. St. Rose Movie Projector and Screen," Telegraph-Herald, January 30, 1949, p. 30
1. "Dominicans to Establish School Here," Telegraph-Herald, August 10, 1950, p. 1
2. "Fountain Park Building History" http://www.howecreativeinc.com/rafters_site/raftershistory.html
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
