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Ursuline Centre

Introduction

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The Ursuline Centre is has played a central role in the city's educational life since its construction in 1912. The Sisters of the Order of St. Ursula (the Ursulines) erected the building as a school called the Ursuline Academy. Children of all faiths were welcome to attend the school. In addition to the main building, the centre also includes a separate gym and two shrines. Today, the building operates as a retreat and conference center, as well as a pre-school and childcare facility. In terms of architecture, the building is a fine example of the Collegiate Gothic style. Notable features include wide use of terra-cotta decoration, a grand main entrance with a square tower, Tudor arches, and large stained glass windows in the third-floor chapel. The complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. The centre offers tours of the building and also houses the Heritage Museum, which features antique furnishings, Native American artifacts, musical instruments, and other items on display.

Images

The Ursuline Centre was built in 1912 by the Sisters of the Order of St. Ursula.

The Ursuline Centre was built in 1912 by the Sisters of the Order of St. Ursula.

The campus features the main building, the gym, and two shrines.

The campus features the main building, the gym, and two shrines.

Bishops and dignitaries stayed in quarters set aside for them when they visited the school. This is Bishop's Parlor room, which was next to the bedroom and bathroom.

Bishops and dignitaries stayed in quarters set aside for them when they visited the school. This is Bishop's Parlor room, which was next to the bedroom and bathroom.

The Heritage Museum features numerous historic items and artifacts on display.

The Heritage Museum features numerous historic items and artifacts on display.

The chapel features stained glass windows and murals of St. Ursula and St. Angela Merici.

The chapel features stained glass windows and murals of St. Ursula and St. Angela Merici.

Backstory and Context

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The Order of St. Ursula was founded in Italy in the 16th century. In 1727, the first Ursuline Sisters to arrived in America settled in what would become the state of Louisiana. They arrived in Montana in 1884 at the invitation of the newly appointed Catholic bishop of Helena. He wanted them to help the Jesuit priests teach converted Native Americans at St. Peter's Mission, which at the time was located near the town of Simms, Montana.

After a fire destroyed their school at the mission in 1908 the Sisters made the decision to relocate to Great Falls. The process took several years but the new building was finally completed in 1912. It opened in September of that year with 151 students and offered classes from kindergarten to 12th grade. The gym was built in 1925 and was expanded in 1927. A few years later in 1932, the College of Great Falls began in the school and remained until 1942.

In 1950, Great Falls Catholic Central High School opened and as a result, the Academy stopped offering 9-12 grade classes. Twenty years later, the Sisters decided to change the name of the building to Ursuline Centre and convert it to its current and primary use as a retreat and conference center.

Sources

"About Us." Ursuline Centre. Accessed August 3, 2020. https://www.u-centre.org/about-us.html.

Sievert, Ken & Ellen. "Ursuline Academy." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. September 26, 1991. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/9e5bdd74-7f44-4343-ba82-69d8444a150c.

"Ursuline Academy." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed August 3, 2020. hmdb.org/m.asp?m=143791.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

All images: Ursuline Centre

Additional Information