Connecting Coesfeld, Germany and Cleveland, Ohio

This blog continues the history of the Sisters of Notre Dame in the United States a few years after their arrival on July 4, 1874.

Sister Mary Modesta became the provincial superior in 1875. She was asked by Mother M. Chrysostoma to erect a larger house in Cleveland. She purchased property containing woods and stone quarry which came to be called Mount St. Mary’s. In the autumn of 1877 Mother Chrysostoma purchased two adjoining pieces of property in Cleveland, where construction of the new central house was completed before winter, and Sisters moved in April 1878. Notre Dame Academy, which had been started in a small building with 14 students, was totally transferred into the new building in May. By autumn there were already 70 students in three classes.

It was from Cleveland that Mother Chrysostoma “now guided the community in the Old and New Worlds.” Throughout these early years of rapid growth and several postulants being invested and several novices making vows, recorded history suggests “the motherhouse seemed more and more like St. Annathal in Coesfeld, which contributed much to everyone’s feeling at home in a foreign country.”

Back in Germany, young women were being prepared to come to the United States. Postulants received the habit on August 30, and the day after the clothing ceremony 19 novices and eight postulants  began their trip to the United States, arriving on September 16. With the increase of young members, the area of ministry could be expanded. What would be the next ministry?