Jewels from Jane, Oct. 2

This is the credential which has been placed by me in the foundations of the house of the Sisters of Carondelet.

On the second day of October in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred forty one [1841], in the pontificate of Gregory XVI, and Joseph Rosati being our Bishop of St. Louis in the occupied state of Missouri, I, the undersigned, Pastor and moderator of this Parish of Carondelet under the name of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel [Sts. Mary and Joseph], laid the first foundations of this building under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, and the Holy Angels. The Sisters of St. Joseph who are going to live in this building and I have placed our names and signatures as worthy witnesses.

Ed. M. Saulnier

Soeur Celestine [Pommerel], Spr.
Soeur Felicite [Boute]
Soeur St. Jean [Fournier]
Soeur Philomene [Villaine]
Soeur Marie Joseph [Dillon]
Soeur Febronie [Fontbonne]


Architect - John Pitcher

Taken from the Baptismal Record of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, now SS. Mary and Joseph Parish

This is the oldest section of the convent. Mother Celestine began to build this first section in 1840, just four years after the arrival of the sisters from France. It was completed in time for the 1841 graduation of St. Joseph Academy. At the time this section was built there were 79 day students, 12 boarders, 9 deaf children and 4 orphans, plus the sisters. This building is north of where the log cabin was located. The total cost in 1841 when it was finished was $1050. It has been used continuously since that time.