Encyclopedia Dubuque
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ST. MARY'S ORPHAN HOME
ST. MARY'S ORPHAN HOME. The bequests made by Senes and Scholastica Huegel made possible the eventual opening of St. Mary's Orphan Home in December 1878. (1) The Catholic couple left their entire estate to Archbishop John HENNESSY for the construction of a home for orphans. Hennessy asked the SISTERS OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS OF THE HOLY FAMILY (OSF) to come to Dubuque to administer the project. (2)
The first building occupied by the home was an old rock structure on the corner of Eighth and White STREETS. This had been constructed as the Holy Trinity Church and school. (3) The home was kept at this site for one year. In 1879 the residence and grounds of J. Duncan, comprising thirty-one acres near LINWOOD CEMETERY, were purchased for seven thousand dollars. This area provided the home's next location. Upon his death, it was found that Archbishop Hennessy left $3,000 to the Sisters of St. Francis for their orphanage. (4) Through 1926 is was referred to as the St. Francis Orphanage.
In 1924 a $90,000 fire at the Convent and orphanage left four buildings without heat. It was restored through the kindness of many friends who donated stoves and other heating devices. (5)
In 1926 through the cooperation of the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company, MIDWEST AUTO SUPPLY COMPANY and the Televocal Corporation, the orphanage was given a Model 35 Atwater Kent radio set. The set and speakers were given by the Atwater Kent Company, the tubes were furnished by the Televocal corporation, and Midwest Auto Supply furnished the batteries. (6)
The first open house of the facility which was caring for 160 orphans was held on June 6, 1928. All the rooms, wards and classrooms were open for inspection. A concert in the afternoon was planned by the orphans' band with another to be held during the card party and cafeteria supper. Other entertainments were offered by the various Catholic parishes. (7)
By 1938 the home, under the supervision of the Archdiocesan Bureau of Catholic Charities, had cared for more than 2,800 children and served an estimated six million meals. Five of the former orphans had become priests and 20 of the girls had entered religious orders. (8)
By the 1960s, following another relocation to Kaufmann Avenue, the focus of the home became one of serving "hard to care for children." Children were brought by their parents or referred by teachers, clergymen, doctors or the courts. The first staff members included Sister Mary Claudette, superintendent; the Rev. Thomas RHOMBERG, chaplain; Ozzie Dolan, program director; and Mrs. Edward Lorenz. All held master's degrees in social work. (9) As staff members were added, all received university study in child welfare work. In January 1960 the staff included ten Sisters and fifteen lay people.
The first physical change was remodeling one of the dormitories into an apartment with living quarters for eight or nine children and their house parent. (10) The group lived with one or two children in each bedroom and a living room for working on homework or watching television. There was also an assistant house parent for each family group. Social science majors attending LORAS COLLEGE or CLARKE COLLEGE provided the house parents days off each week. (11) Six students were employed year round and provided camping and outing activities during the summer. Each resident had a "big brother" or "big sister" chosen from among college volunteers. Each of these volunteers spent between four and eight hours each week helping their "family member" with homework or taking them shopping. (12)
After 1968 the building on Kaufmann Avenue was known as AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC.
The 1939 Dubuque City Directory through 1948 Dubuque Classified Business Directory listed 905 Davis.
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Source:
1. "Mass to Commemorate 60th Orphan Home Anniversary," Telegraph Herald, April 24, 1938, p. 2
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Gallagher, Mary Kevin. Seed/Harvest: A History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Dubuque: Archdiocese of Dubuque Press, 1967, p. 45
5. "Caring for the Needy," Telegraph Herald, December 21, 2004, p. 10
6. "Atwater Kent Set Given Children at St. Francis Home," Telegraph-Herald, November 7, 1926, p. 15
7. "St. Mary's Home Sponsors Fete," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, June 3, 1928, p. 2
8. Gallagher
9. Williams, Vera. "St. Mary's Building Lives," Telegraph Herald, January 1, 1960, p. 11
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid.