Originally founded in the City of Windsor in 1864 by the Community of Holy Names of Mary & Jesus, with a few nuns from Montreal. St. Mary’s Academy was originally located in downtown Windsor on Ouellette Ave. By the late 1920’s the Sisters had an old school building on very valuable land. The order sold the building and land to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Corporation, the land is now the site of the Canadian Tunnel Plaza. The original building was demolished in 1929.
The second St. Mary’s opened in 1928.
However the massive sprawling Gothic complex that was built in 1928 in South Windsor was an amazing structure.
Designed by a Sister from the order, not an architect, the massive building stood guard over south Windsor until April 1977. On the afternoon of April 29, Controlled Demolition Inc. (CDI), that same company that imploded Hudson’s, imploded St. Mary’s.
A lousy sub-division replaced the Majestic structure, the developer even called the sub-division “The Gates Of St. Mary’s”. Almost immediately the decision to demolish St. Mary’s was regretted, and that in turn help to turn some sympathies towards preservation.
Built in 1929, the house at 2177 Victoria Avenue was originally numbered 1545 Victoria, pre…
Crescent Lanes first opened on Ottawa Street in 1944 at 1055 Ottawa Street, opposite Lanspeary…
Above is a photo of the home of Mr & Mrs Oswald Janisse, located at…
in 1917 two Greek brothers Gus & Harry Lukos purchased a one story building on…
Photo from Google Streetview A long time reader sent me an email the other week…
An unremarkable end to a part of Windsor's history. The large vacant house at 841…
View Comments
Channel 9 Windsor did a nice documentary on St. Mary's Academy, including motion footage of the school's demolition. Only saw it once, which was shortly after it was demolished. I always wondered if that was preserved and, if so, is it available for public viewing?
I seem to recall the school's original entrace drive gates were left in-tact for a few years after the land o' the sidesplits sprang from its ruins, but the gates too were gone if I remember my last trip of Academy drive. Not sure when that happened, or why??
Hello, John,
I just happened upon this site and saw your question. I actually have a copy of the entire documentary which aired on November 1, 1977, and was entitled "Day of Sadnress." I called the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Windsor way back in 1992 and a very nice gentleman directed me to their "Archives Department" from which I was able to obtain a VHS copy. Perhaps you can still get a copy from them.
I have since had it copied onto a DVD for a long-lost boarder friend that I reconnected with three years ago. She was thrilled.
Hope this helps.
I am curious to know if you ever got a copy of the VHS or DVD on the documentary of St. Mary’s Academy?
Mike, I never did. I have to check the library still.
What I can say about this school would actually fill a book, so I will keep it very brief. Young girls came from all over the world to enjoy the high level of education offered here. I had friends from countries that I would not ever have met in the standard schools & walked away with memories that will be cherished forever. It opened my eyes to a world beyond borders. There will never be another school like this one. Unless one had the privelege of seeing the school first hand, the immense size would be inconceivable. It had everything including an auditorium equipped with trap doors & a chapel that history has forgotten. What a tremendous loss!
i have for some time been interested in St Mary's and can't really find anything about it on the web...pictures..history and such ...can anyone help ??
Second Post:
Carole Anne
(October 27, 2009 at 11:44 am) I remember as a student in the mid 1960`s…marching up three fights of stairs to the classrooms… all hardwood floors … oak staircases…stained glass windows…the 4th floor housed the student residence…& some retired clergy…we`d hang out in the “Grotto” (usually to smoke) at noon & recesses or wonder around the two courtyards or the orchards , hoping the Assumption boys would dare drive around the grounds & leer at the St Mary girls … on occasion some of our duties as day students included dusting the parlours on the main floor in preparation for a funeral service for a nun (”sister”)…or the annual “mother & daughter tea”…there was a grand auditorium for the theatrical events the students put on …wonderful old stage with “practice” wings (piano rooms ) surrounding it…the locker rooms & lunch rooms were in the stone basement… there was an old “cage” type elevator we`d sneak rides on (or press the button to pull an unsuspecting pasenger (usually a “sister”) back down…the Chapel was beautiful ( the only part of the building salvaged )…we`d wear our “beanies” for sevices…What a sin that this building was not treated as heritage !!!
#277855
Andrew, rereading this post - i grew up in front of this amazing structure (We lived at 3295 Morris Drive) and saw it everyday of my childhood right out my front door - we'd walk around the grounds every Sunday afternoon with my Father, we'd climb the trees and pick apples as young boys, we'd get chased away by the nuns in the orchard, we'd picked wild strawberries outside the main gates in the field out front. I remember going to the final auction of all the interior furniture and other articles - I bought a few chairs, and boxes, and such - nothing too valuable, but great keepsakes.
It's absolutely sickening that a 49 YEAR OLD building was allowed by the City of Windsor to be demolished. I heard that there were reports written that stated it was unsafe and unsuitable for usage near the end, but not sure about that?!? Is there anything anywhere that you know of - engineers reports etc. Thanks.
p.s. I have a photocopy aerial photo of the building and land surrounding from probably about 1955 - new houses, very few trees.
Scott
Yes this indeed was a terrible and unnessecary loss to Windsor's heritage. I too went to the Academy, but for only 2 yrs. as they turned it into a highschool when I was in grade 1. However my sister and 2 brothers did all their schooling there, from grade 1 through highschool. Our house was on the Academy property as our father was their private chauffer and school busdriver.I find it hard to understand why we can't obtain loads of information on this historic building, let alone nothing!!!! I know (I believe) the nuns put out a paperback book/magazine in honor of the building, staff, students and workers. We as a family have the privilege of having my Dad and siblings included in some pictures. I believe only a certain amount of copies were made either just before or after the demolition. How sad for the nuns that knew only this place to be their home!!Do any of you remember the summer carnivals they would have? Pony rides, cotton candy B.B.Q.'s games. Oh how we so anxiously looked forward to these. I remember befriending some of the girls from other countries during the summer months because some of them were there all year round. When our Dad passed away 35 yrs. ago, the nuns had a special mass and gathering at the Academy for our family, friends and the nuns. This was the last time I was in the building and the last time I saw our house, because it too along with a couple of other employee homes were demolished as they were on the property. I'm so glad I found this sight, it not only brings back fond memories but allows me to share some of mine with you. Thanks for sharing and if anyone has any newer updates, pics videos etc. I would appreciate it. Especially if you have any pics that would show our home back then 3400 Longfellow.Thanks again for sharing!!
My great-great- grandmother attended this school. I wonder if anyone knows whether there are any school records archived somewhere? I would love to know why her parents sent there, She cane from Illinois to board at the school and later became a teacher. Thanks for any info.