Archives Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1978.165.32 |
Object Name |
Certificate, Achievement |
Title |
Achievement Certificate, Genevieve McAteer, Loretto Academy, 26 June 1906 |
Date |
26 June 1906 |
Year Range from |
1906 |
Year Range to |
1906 |
Description |
An achievement certificate presented to Genevieve McAteer by the Loretto Academy on 26 June 1906. The certificate has a blue ornate border surrounding gold text. In the top center of the page is the Loretto crest, in blue, set between two motto banners. The text on the banner reads "Maria Regina Angelorum / Cruci Dum Spiro Fido". Translated to "Mary, Queen of Angels / While I live, I believe in the Cross". On either side of the crest is gold lettering that reads "Loretto Academy". Printed in the center of the page, in gold text, is "Testimonial of Merit / Awarded To". Three dotted blue lines are toward the bottom of the page. Handwritten text lists the recipent as "Miss G. McAteer for English in Third Form". Genevieve Izzetta McAteer (b. 8 October 1889) was the third child born to John and Jane McAteer. John and Jane McAteer operated the Albion Hotel (1881-1886), the Western Hotel (1886-1897), and owned the American Hotel (1909-1921). |
Notes |
Historic Context: Loretto Convent In 1841 under the jurisdiction of the new Diocese of Toronto, Guelph was appointed Father John Holzer (1823-1888) to be Pastor in Guelph by Bishop Charbonnel of Toronto (1802-1891). Father John Holzer organized the parish under the Jesuit Order, prioritizing education and social justice, that lasted until 1930. Father Holzer prompted the construction of a large stone structure in 1853; this building was later restructured as the convent. A third-generation local architect, George R. Bruce (1857-1903) employed a local, magnesium rich stone for the construction of the convent. The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose members are commonly known as the Sisters of Loretto, is a Roman Catholic congregation founded in France in 1609. An invitation extended to the Ladies of Loretto prompted their arrival to Guelph on 10 June 1856 to offer social welfare assistance and educational opportunities through establishing a private girl's school. By 1857 the Loretto Academy, a residential and day school for female students, was completed. Up until 1924 the Loretto Sisters had run a boarding school in the convent but was discontinued to free up space for the increase in day students. By 1926, expansions to the building were made to attach the Loretto Academy to the convent. The convent was expanded again in 1953, and the addition became Notre Dame High School. Loretto Academy and Notre Dame were joined in 1962 and renamed Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School. By 1995, the student population had outgrown the site. The school was closed, and the later additions were demolished in 2004. By 2008, after reaching capacity at its Dublin Street location, the former Loretto Convent was an ideal home for the Guelph Civic Museum. After securing a lease with the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, the City of Guelph began extensive modifications including the restoration of the heritage staircase, and the stained-glass windows. The Loretto Sisters' story continues in the Loretto Gallery in the Civic Museum. Updated 2025 |
People |
McAteer, Genevieve |
Search Terms |
Loretto Academy |
Subjects |
EDUCATION EDUCATION - SCHOOLS CERTIFICATE - ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION RELIGION |
Collection |
Archives |