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Subject: Immaculate Conception Academy
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 13:45:54 EST

HISTORY OF DAVENPORT AND SCOTT COUNTY
VOLUME 1
CHAPTER 35
EDUCATION

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ACADEMY

The first school for the higher instruction of girls to be opened in
Davenport under the auspices of the Roman Catholic church, was St. Philomena's
academy, dating back to 1845, and opened in connection with Father Pelamourgues'
school at St. Anthony's church, corner of Fourth and Main streets, by the
Sisters of Charity of the B. V. M. The patrons of the school were in humble
circumstances and through lack of financial support the school was discontinued
in 1847.

In 1855 five sisters returned to Father Pelamourgues, among them Sister M.
Agatha, the present superior at St. Anthony's school. The same year Judge G.
C. R. Mitchell offered the Rev. T. J. Donoghoe ten acres of land in Northwest
Davenport as a site for a boarding academy. The gift was accepted the
following year and it was agreed to erect an academy upon the land and to call the
school the Immaculate Conception academy.

Circumstances beyond his control prevented Father Donoghoe from erecting the
building until two years had passed. Then a two story brick building with a
one story chapel wing was built and the sisters opened the school, July 15,
1859, on the present site of Mercy hospital. When the location was utilized
for hospital purposes, the academy building built upon and added to became
the nucleus of the present handsome array of buildings of Mercy hospital. The
sister superior of the school, Sister Mary Margaret with thirteen sisters
assisting, constituted the first faculty, of which three are still living.

After two years of hardship in this location the institution was moved into
the city that it might be of more ready access to the day pupils. The former
residence of Mayor George B. Sargent, now the home of E. H. Ryan, on Brady
street, near Eight, was rented and the school transferred thereto in 1861.
Here it remained until 1866, when the residence of R. B. Hill, Main and Eighth
streets was purchased and the school brought to this new and handsome
location. Here it has remained and grown and prospered until the present time.
The earliest additional building was a frame structure, which provided music
studios and an auditorium. In 1884 the present main school building was
erected. In 1906 a new and handsome edifice joining the main building on the
north replaced the old frame conservatory building, giving additional room for
instruction in science and a modern gymnasium. In 1909, jubilee year, the
old R. B. Hill residence went into the hands of the builders and will emerge
from the transformation a handsome addition to the architectural group of
structures, being connected with the main building on the south. The present
sister superior is Sister Mary Editha.

The buildings are elegant and commodious and were designed with especial
view to the health, comfort and pleasure of the pupils. Though in the heart of
the city the location of the Immaculate Conception academy is retired and
beautiful.

The course of study very full and complete, is planned for twelve years, if
the pupils begin in the primary department, and four years if they begin in
the academic department. There is the full complement of the practical and
cultural studies and especial attention is given to art and music.

While there is systematic religious instruction in the school, no undue
influence is exercised over the religious opinions of non-Catholic pupils.

The school has a large patronage, not only from the city, but also from this
and neighboring states.


Debbie Clough Gerischer

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