Divine Providence Academy

DPA-East Liberty (1905)

In September, 1905 Divine Providence Academy , under the name of St. Joseph 's Industrial Institute, a boarding and day school for girls, opened its doors and offered an educational opportunity quite different from those then existing. The "Household Sciences," according to the Most Reverend Regis Canevin, then Bishop of Pittsburgh, were to be included in the courses offered.

Beginnings...

Reverend Mother Francis Borgia Schroeck (pictured right) planned the Institute accordingly, and appointed Mother Lucy Weber its first directress.

With the able assistance of Sister Immaculate Raich, Mother Lucy founded the Academy on definite educational standards. Classes opened on September 8, 1905 , with a total enrollment of 39 students. Three courses were offered: The English Course, The Business or Commercial Course, and the Household Science Course. Art and music formed a part of the curriculum from the very beginning.

The first staff included Sister Immaculate Raich, Sister Josephine Schmitt, Sister Ignatia Gast, Sister Ludgera Kemper, Sister M. Berchman Jochum and Sister M. Leonard Fugina.

Sister Immaculate, the inspiration and guide of the Institute for its first 21 years, conducted the English classes and also taught the other subjects of the Academic course. Her task, which she performed remarkably well, was to coordinate the different classes. Any student fortunate enough to "sit at her feet" will ever remember her as "a teacher unequalled."

Sister Immaculate was ably assisted by Ignatia, who taught the commercial subjects, and by Sister Ludgera and Sister Berchmanns, who supervised the art needlework and plain sewing. Sister Leonard initiated the girls into the art of cooking; Sister Josephine acted as "house mother" to the day pupils as well as to the boarders.

Sister Immaculate and her staff accomplished many wonderful things in the 21 years she was at the Academy. However, it is only fitting that we summarize briefly a few of her many achievements.

She utilized to advantage every available space; classrooms, music rooms, Home Economics department, dormitory and private sleeping rooms, recreation hall - all were conveniently arranged and suitably equipped.

Enrollment increased as did the classrooms which numbered three in 1905; twelve in 1926.

Music rooms for lessons and practice increased from 5 to 15.

The Home Economics department grew from the "small convenient kitchen of 1905" to the spacious and "fully equipped quarters of 1924."

Laboratory space increased as the change was made from the first "office lab" to the newly-converted "greenhouse chemistry laboratory."

The new portable buildings provided opportunity also for classes in Physical Education as well as for assemblies and other social activities.

Religious, cultural, and social activities filled in the hours not devoted to classes and study. Daily morning and evening prayer; daily Mass, visit, and rosary; later, daily Holy Communion; weekly Office of Immaculate Conception, and the annual retreat rounded out the religious program.

Mission projects, varied and interesting, meant substantial contributions to the mission fields at home and abroad.

Vocations to the religious life were early in evidence. Mae Leonard, of the class of 1907 became Sister Mary Francis of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart. During the years following, 25 girls entered religious life; and in 1926 Sister Immaculate's last year at Divine Providence Academy , six graduates entered the Sisters of Divine Providence at Mt. Immaculate and one, Marcella Kenna (Sister Mercedes of Jesus) entered the Order of Carmel.

Course were added to the curricula as enrollments increased, and in 1922 the Institute had a four year Academic course; a one-year, two-year, and three-year Commercial course; and also a two-year Home Economics course.

The music department, firmly established from the very beginning, gave expression to its definite success in the Cecelian, Christmas, and May recitals. Music students were given the opportunity to attend a series of concerts held at Mt. Mercy , Duquesne University , and Syria Mosque.

Speech activities in the form of class meetings, recitations, debates, skits, plays, operettas, as well as the two publications, "Providence Record" and "Providence Yearbook" awakened and held the interest of practically every student.

In the Department of Art, classes in charcoal, oil, and china were offered under the capable direction of Sister M. Julitta Noullet . From these modest beginnings, we now have the successful and well-known St. Joseph 's School of Practical and Fine Arts. This department became fully accredited with the Department of Education at Harrisburg as St. Joseph 's High School under the direction of Sister Immaculate in 1929 at Larimer Avenue . The high school functioned under this name until 1937. Sister Dolorosa Bager, Sister Magdalene Seikel and Sister Regis Marie Herbst continued the work begun, and insured courses and activities would be parallel to those of D.P.A., then situated at Mount Immaculate.

When the program of studies and activities had been established in 1924 Sister Immaculate applied for accreditation. After several visits of Doctor James G. Pentz, the school was accredited under its present name of Divine Providence Academy.