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.
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.
St Mary’s gates can be found on Normandy Road in Lasalle. They are the gates at the enterence of Stoantis resedence of TBQ fame. The area has grown since so the address is past the 2000 number. The property is currently up for sale.
WOW … so those hideous wrought iron gates were actually the gorgeous ones at St.Mary’s? Amazing, but it makes pefect sense as the school sold off so much before it closed. Cabinets (2nd floor)at Willistead Manor and I “believe” the light fixtures in the Butlers Pantry. I remember talking to someone who had a section of balastard on their home staircase from the school. It is a shame this school wasn’t kept – with irony Holy Names (in the former Centennial school) Now has “trailor styled” portables all over the lawn due to over-crowding. The four story St. Mary’s could surely be in use today.
Sorry for posting again but, I just checked out google maps and I swear that the original Newel Posts were still located on ST. Mary’s Drive until recently.
Chistopher: if you mean the brick pillars – they were rebuilt after the demolition. The contractor “accidently” oops! knocked the originals down. There was talk that they would use the original brick to build them back up at the time…not sure if they did.
i have a signed charcoal painting titled”le torrent” depicting a large and smaller caribou struggling in river rapids.the piece is dated april 22nd,1869 and signed by emily dupuy L’academie ste. marie windsor ontario.i am not sure if she was a student or one of the nuns instructing at that time.despite efforts i can not find a student list or student names from this period.it is a large and striking portrait well framed and under glass
I WAS A STUDENT AT ST MARY’S MANY YEARS AGO. I STARTED THERE IN THE FIRST GRADE. MY CLASSROOM WINDOWS WERE ON THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE FIRST FLOOR. THE SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP WAS NEXT DOOR. JUST DOWN THE HALLWAY – ON THE RIGHT SIDE – TOWARDS THE GYM WAS THE BORDERS’ PLAYROOM. I REMEMBER IT BEING FULL OF MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS AND I SO ENVIED THE GIRLS WHO OWNED THEM. I WELL REMEMBER DEAD NUNS BEING LAID OUT IN OPEN COFFINS IN THE PARLOURS. ALL RATHER MACABRE WHEN ONE THINKS ABOUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BODY – GRADES 1 to 12 – BEING MARCHED PAST. THERE WAS ALWAYS AN UPSET STOMACH WHICH SET OFF A CHAIN REACTION…….!! I ALWAYS SMILE WHEN I THINK OF THE BIG HUMP – ALLEGEDLY THE BURIAL PLACE OF A NUN – ON THE FIRST FLOOR. WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE ST MARY’S FLOORS WERE FOR SLIDING WHEN NO ONE WAS AROUND. THE MAGNIFICENT CHAPEL – THE GRAND STAIRCASE – ‘THE’ ELEVATOR – THE ATMOSPHERE – THE MYSTERY OF WHETHER OR NOT THE NUNS HAD HAIR – SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. I’M SO GRATEFUL I HAVE THEM TO TREASURE.
I attended the school for Grade 9, the very last year it was open before it was closed as a high school. I did not know it at the time, but I have come to regret that this fine school closed. I especially regret that the building was demolished. It most certainly was not unsafe in 1970, when I was a student. How nice that the developers saw fit to name the subdivision St. Mary’s Gates. I’m being sarcastic. It was a fine school, offering the best in music training. We always know what we’ve got when it’s gone. I wish I had been an activist before the demolition.
I had a fine view of the belfry of St. Mary’s from my bedroom window. Something I used to aim my telescope at when not at the stars.
My father, may he rest in peace, was an activist who tried to save St. Mary’s from demolition. Even my mother, who was not Catholic at that time, wrote to the Department of Defense that they might explore use of the building as a military academy. Dad was briefly interogated by the OPP as he picketed Premier Bill Davis while he visited Windsor.
My mother attended, graduated from St. Mary’s and was on hand to see it destroyed with my father and brother. I can only imagine what it felt like to watch such a vital piece of your life be demolished in an explosion. It must have been heartbreaking.
Walking up Academy today I was a little bit shocked to see there is no historical marker there at the the former gates. With Windsor and Essex county so proud to show it’s heritage through commemorative plaques, paintings on buildings and such I was really surprised there was no marker(s) at the “gates.”
Nothing extreme is needed, just something simple that says, “St. Mary’s Gates. Beyond these gates from “opening year” to 1977 once stood St. Mary’s Academy.” And then mention some facts about it ending with, “…until it was blown up in 1977.”
With all the people throughout the city who were touched by the academy’s presence I am sure it would not be too difficult to do.
Did anyone know in Windsor that the ‘remains’ of St.Mary’s was dumped into the edge of the Detroit River? My parents and I came across that dump site accidently on a Sunday afternoon drive along a back road by the river in 1977. There were sections of the amazing stained glass window frames just laying there along the edge of the river bank.
My brother had gotten married in St.Mary’s in 1973 and I think they were some of the school. But cannot find pictures of those windows ( my brother as since remarried and not sure where those photos have gone now)
Does anyone know of any photos of those windows?
The destruction of St. Mary’s Academy, sadly, had its origins in the modernist takeover of the Catholic Church which reached its climax with the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). What is worse than the destruction of the beautiful buildings is the attempted destruction of the Catholic faith.
I too lived near St. Mary’s and enjoyed views of it’s belltower from my bedroom window. My father was probably the last individual to make his opposition known to this event. He came home from work (in Detroit) and made straight for the Caboto Club where Premier Bill Davis was being received, to implore his intervention in the matter.
Now I implore Almighty God and His saints to intervene in the more important matter that is the destruction of the Faith and the true Church, if such were possible, and I am reminded of what St. Athanasius said in the time of the Arian heresy: “they have the buildings, but we have the faith…which is more important the place or the faith?”
where was the section of the detroit river where this happened gus? thanks
I grew up across the street from St.Mary’s Academy and took piano and math lessons there. My brothers where alter boys every Sunday there. It was a wonderful place to play. We often played hide and seek there,ran throughtout the acedemy like freebirds.The crabapple trees and the few graves in the back were always a little eerie The nuns always scolding us. I would often watch the lightening bounce of the rod iron fench with aw.It was a very very sad day when they imploded that majestic building. I went to the auction and have desks,candle sticks and prayer stations.I was told it was a fire hazard and needed to come down. I remember the man in the white house beside the academy,next to the field.It would be nice if the City of Windsor would learn from this and stop the distruction of historical buildings like the bank of Montreal etc.I am lucky to have such fond memmories of the Acadamy.
The happiest days of my high school years were spent at St. Mary’s Academy with great friends, lay teachers and incredibly awesome Sister’s.
The memerable life lessons I learned from those dedicated women provided me with courage, strength and integrity to sustain me for a lifetime.
Many thanks to all who shared their time and friendships with me, you will always be in my heart and never forgotten.
Debra
Hi everyone. Well I’ve always been saddened by the destruction of this school but now reading that the remains were dumped by the river is over the top! For those of you who may not know, I just today found St. Marys Academy on Facebook. There are some pics and a graduation video I believe from the late 50’s and links to the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary.It’s comforting to have people like all of you to share these memories with. To the lady that remembers the man in the white house by the field, that could be either my Dad (our house when I grew up was yellow but could have been white) or Mr. Parent, they both worked for The Academy for over 30 years and we purchased a piece of their property and built there. Thanks again for sharing 🙂
I have a desk and chair from St. Mary’s Academy that I would like to sell I know it is a piece of history and that someone would like to purchase it.
I remember that hump on the first floor. I used to slide down it all the time. I remember the parlour and if I got too many marks against me I visited my parents in that room. I was always a spit-fire. I remember too the Grotto. I recall a snake that was rapped around the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In fact I almost picked up a copper head one day thinking it was a jumping rope. So many memories.
St Mary’s Academy offered the BEST in music training. We had seperate rooms for piano practice and I gave many recitals. It was horrible they destroyed this beautiful structure If this was in England it would never have happened. To all who do not know this building it was all Gothic structure. I have a book showing the many girls and the rec room. The classrooms. I have many pictures of myself and classmates. The chapel where I made my First Communion and my Confirmtion is/was the most beautiful. I will never forget the large statues of the Angels.
On Sundays my parents ame to take me out and I used to go horseback riding…then come back to school with the smell of horse on me LOL There was a place, a resturant which served the best homemade raison pie. Delish!!
A colleague just sent me this link (and also to the Facebook page). How nice to read these comments and the memories associated with the Academy. I was a 1969 Grad and those days were some of happiest I’ve enjoyed. Nice to see some links to St. Mary’s and I also have had difficulty finding any info!
Hope to see more 🙂
In 1935 Guido Nincheri Studio did some stained glass windows for Saint Mary’s Academy chapel.As I am doing the inventory of the 220 churches that he decorated between 1920 and 1973 when he passed away, I would be curious if anyone would remember the windows and what happened to them.
Were they destroyed or saved? . I just read Gus Steven’s e-mail. I guess they were destroyed.
Does any one have old photographs of them????? Roger Nincheri, grandson of the artist
Hi just purchased a Marian Tower 1956 yearbook at church bazaar in Downingtown Pa US which has led me to your history site how sad it is to learn this school was demolished. So much wonderful tradition. The yearbook is so interesting. Pat
Some of the stained glass windows, most of the chapel altar, the 3 doors to the chapel, the keystone over the front entrance doors have all been preserved at 3140 Peter Street. When the sisters sold the property part of the deal was to build a larger ‘mother house’. The sisters have been here since 1864, rebuilt in 1927 and again in 1977. The property is now an accommodation of ‘rooms and suites for students, professionals and travelers’ known as “University Place”. It is on the 2012 Open Doors tour this September. Visitors are welcome year long. Over night guests are welcome. (www.WindsorExecutiveStay.com)
The beige brick gate posts of the Academy are still in tact as of August, 2012. They can be found at 3350 Academy Dr. and across the street at 3355 Academy Dr.
I remember Mr. LaPensee, the bus driver and his home and family on that property when I attended St. Mary’s from 1937-1950..a wonderful place, just as everyone says.
i remember doing a poem when they demolished it and was put in the star at a later time i have tried looking through the archives with out any luck how can i go about seeing if they might have it still
i also ad picture taken whn we had a road party off rankn street in south windsor and can t find it either would have been wheni was about 7 or 8 yrs old so in 1966 67
can anyone help me out as grand daughte does not believe her gramma was ina news paper article adn obits dont count
Thank you for the comment about my father Merle. The interest in St. Mary’s Academy has really risen especially over the past year for some reason. More seems to be available to see now. Also there is a bookstore on Ottawa St. called Juniper. They have come out with several books about Windsor history including The Academy in them. The latest was just released “500 Ways You Know You’re From Windsor”. You can see the video on youtube and also the book has been released. Excellent, excellent pics of St.Mary’s, Boblo, Marios Restauarnt, Hi Ho etc. Also a paperback book was released by the nuns when it was demolished, I don’t know if there was a limited edition on this book, however, there are pics of chapel, stained glass windows, parlours etc.Many , many students from beginning to end are in there also. As I pointed out in a previous email…St. Mary’s Academy is now on Facebook and they’re adding stuff and comments daily.Alot of people are reconnecting with friends and boarders and even nuns from the past. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed!!!! 🙂 by the way…the booklet that the nuns had put out back then was called Memoirs and it is blue.
I came from Michigan and attended St. Mary’s when it was a boys boarding school. A wonderful lay teacher spent many hours teaching me and another boy. Her help enriched my life in countless ways…. I wish I knew her name so I could say Thank You…..
My mother and aunt attended St. Marys. If anyone has a copy of the documentary of the school, I would be willing to pay for a copy. My mother is in her 80’s and I would like her to see it before she is gone.
Thank you.
I also attended The Acadamy 1945 – 1958. I used to walk to schoolfrom Curry Ave, through the bush until the road was cut through. Many friends from those wonderful days. Music was my 1st love and the large concert room with the grand pianos gave the best sound and feeling of such pleasure when I was allowed to sit there and play those awsome instruments. I also remember Mrs. Violet Webb Leach as our gym instructer.Too many wonderful sisters, academic as well as music ,to name. A very good friend in Windsor sent me news paper photos of that day which I still have. St Mary’s shaped all of us who attended this beautiful school, we became the people we are today because of the lives we all learned to live ,within those stately walls.
I have over 30 souvenirs of SMA including the “Day of Sadness” tv special on dvd. I was in the last class of boys at SMA. My brother and I left in June , 1957. I organized the Friends of St. Marys Academy in 1995 with Sr. John Thomas. Would love to hear from other former students. Ward Case wardcase@gmail.com
Hi Ward. I started 1st grade with Sr Lumena in 1953. There were a few boys in my class. I remember there was an Eric and a Robert Palmer. Two female boarders from Detroit were Robin Walsh and Marguerite Tassi. I also remember Sandra Monik, Lynn Patrick, Patricia Venning, Maureen Burke, Andrea Lusk. Perhaps a few others if I think VERY hard. I can’t imagine what the occasion was but I remember Eric and a couple of other boys being dressed in velvet and lace ‘costumes’. I loved St Mary’s. I was last there in 1973. I never imagined I would never see the building again. I’m so grateful I didn’t realize that at the time. I was living in Atlanta and not long after, moved to South Africa where I still live. Sister John Thomas was my sister’s teacher. All the best, melissa
Hi Ward. I was just wondering if James Barton is referring to Mrs. Thompson who was my second grade teacher in ’54/’55. I ADORED her. She was a lovely, gentle lady with a very kind smile. melissa
Hi Melissa, Wish i had more information, I was there for a year sometime in the 50’s and went home to the states on weekends “sometimes” We slept in a dormitory and every thing was pretty regimented. I thought it was an “all boy” boarding School because I don’t remember ever seeing any girls! From what I remember a young woman lay teacher spent many hours after class teaching another boy and I “aeiou” and how to read. When I returned to the public school system in the states and was tested, I was reading and comprehending at second year college level by their standards. This early intervention by Her enriched my life beyond measure. I never saw or heard from her again although I was told by my wicked stepmother that she did invite the other boy and I to her and her husband’s home in Ontario for a visit a while after I left St. Marys. my d.o.b. is 4/7/1947 I am very sure she would remember helping us. She spent a lot of hours after school in a basement classroom @ St. Marys working with us. Scrumpmother@gmail.com
I am looking for information about an extracurricular group from the 1950s that involved the both the girls of the St. Mary’s Academy and the boys of Assumption High School together. My dad (Mike Jacko) was involved in that group and we are interested in the name of it (Catholic or Christian “something”?). Does anyone remember that group? Thanks for your help!
Marcy, is this what you are looking for (midway down the right side of page 64 out of 102)?
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=4b-LE5UluQcC&dat=19570927&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
I am a 1957 Graduate of St. Mary”s Academy and I have 2 ‘year books’ from there. I also studied Music at the Academy and at the age of 13 I taught the beginner students for the Academy, in piano. I was one of 5 Senior Singers who took the solos for the school and sang on CBC radio for them.It was an honor every time we sang in the huge Auditorium and in the Chapel where everything just echoed, On the 1st floor of the school was the cafateria where the Boarders and Nuns ate their meals and at the very back of the first floor was the Music Dept. There was individual practise rooms for us to study in and the voice Teacher was across the hall (at the east end ) and the piano teacher at the west end/ The hump on the first floor was said to be where Mother Mary Rose was buried who was the Founder of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.It was a wonderful school to go to. I crid when they demolished it. My Father was the person who worked for the H.O.Trerice Co who took care of the boiler room and He said there was so many repairs needed to the school it was to costly to save it.I cried and so did my Dad.
My mother purchased the baby Jesus statue and a few other artifacts from the auction. I would love to hear from anyone that remembers the statue. It came with several changes of clothes and has a very ornate crown. I have pictures but I am not sure how to attach them.
I attended boarding school there 1955-1958, does anyone have a copy of the DVD I could buy, or any memorabilia? Does anyone know of a list of names of students who attended in that time period?
I attended St Mary’s when a young child for a couple of years. 1945-1949 later attended Notre Dame De Bon Secours the 4 room school of the parish Christ the King, just down Grand Maris Rd. It was a very happy time but we had different uniforms. Knee length black wool dresses that had button on white collars and cuffs which we washed each night in the bathroom sinks. I remember spending much time in the grotto as a quiet peaceful getaway from the busy school. Made my First Holy Communion in the chapel and we wore the same uniforms as we did every day, but they were white. Everyone had to wear the uniform because some of the boarders did not have the pretty nylon kind. I also fell from an 8foot slide in the basement playroom. Bit my tongue off and was rushed to Hotel Deux for several months while it was sewn back on. I had 3 operations because my saliva would melt the stitches of cat gut and some other material. Finally, in the 40’s they tried nylon and it actually held. Had lots of penacillian shots, and loved when the Sisters from ST. Mary’s came to visit me. When we moved to California in the 50’s, the kids were doing in 8th grade what I had learned in the fourth grade in Canada. I loved the school, and the sisters were always very kind, except for trying to teach me to write right handed. I remember polishing the stair rails and wooden floors with sheep skin and pulling each other around and playing up and down the halls. The only boys at that time were day scholars, and hardly remember any. I saw it being exploded only one time and could not believe that that could happen to such a wonderful place. My best friend was Madeline Breen from Glasgow, Scotland. I was from Detroit, my mom was from the U.S. and my dad was Canadian. Will never forget the day at St. Mary’s.
Mike… When Gus said a ‘back road’ by the Detroit River, I can only think of somewhere in Brighton Beach. You won’t be able to go, for an archaeological search, because that area is heavily guarded and off – limits to the general public… 🙁
I was a boarder at SMA for one year, 1956-57 school year. The last year they took in boys. I organized the Friends of St. Marys Academy in 1995 as an alumni association. We had 2,000 members and a newsletter and annual reunions for five years. They donations dried up and we were out of business. I have souvenirs of SMA, given to me by Sr. John Thomas.