Belcourt Centre, Rustico - to be demolished?

            There has been much discussion lately about the future of the Belcourt Centre in Rustico - there's been some misinformation circulating about the history of the building. The following comes the Parish history, St. Augustine's Church 1838-1988, Pages 57-59.

Above: The First Convent / Below: the present Convent.

            In February 1932 the first Convent on this site was destroyed by fire...

            "The Sisters and the parishioners did not give up. The big house opposite the church, then owned by Teddy Doucette, was made available as living quarters for the Sisters and some classrooms, and the remaining classes were accommodated in the Parish Hall. The boarders were lodged with families in the village. Classes were resumed the very next day, after books were secured from Charlottetown.  

            With insurance money for materials, the parishioners decided they could build a new convent if volunteer labour were provided. The traditional generosity of the people and their tremendous loyalty to the convent made it possible to erect a convent that summer, using the repaired foundation and an almost identical design. Missing were the third floor dormer windows which had given the original convent an air of style. The Sisters and pupils moved into the new building in December, 1932. At the time of the re-building, Sr. St. Joseph du Sauveur, who had done so much for the former convent, was retired in Montreal. But her love for Rustico prompted her to help. She had a truck box placed near the entrance to the Motherhouse with a sign, "Donations for the Convent in Rustico".  

            Even with the new convent building, better salaries for the teachers, and many successes in the training of youth, all was not easy. Declining enrollment in the thirties threatened their government salaries, and changes in lifestyles made boarding schools less popular. But another boost for the convent occurred when a Grade Eleven Class was opened in 1950. This put the Convent School in the category of Senior High School, and though the classes were small, their success in Maritime Board Examinations was testimony to the quality of the teaching found in Rustico Convent. In 1953, the Grade Eleven Class was combined with that of North Rustico.  

            The late fifties and early sixties brought more changes which affected the convent in Rustico. Consolidation of schools brought bus transportation into the picture, and soon boarding schools were completely out of date. To provide space for the now larger classes, the Department of Education in 1963 had a new elementary school built near St. Augustine's Church, and this move left more vacant space at the convent. The Sisters continued to live there and teach at the new school, named St. Augustine's School, but as the number of Sisters on the staff decreased, they found it more convenient to live at Stella Maris Convent in North Rustico and commute to school.  

            For a few years the convent was used as a summer residence for Sisters of Notre Dame in the Maritime, but this plan proved too costly, and in 1973, the convent was sold to Jack Pound and Joe Jabbour under the company name of J and J Estates. For a short time they operated a motel and Restaurant under the name Belcourt Lodge and Restaurant. Lack of modern facilities and other handicaps hindered the success of their enterprise. Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown had a committee searching for a facility for Retreats and other religious programs, and in 1977 it was decided to buy the former St. Augustine's Convent for a Retreat House. For four years the Retreat House program gradually grew under the direction of Donald Doucette of Rusticoville, and then in 1981, two Sisters of St. Martha came to live at the Retreat House and carry out the tasks of administration. They were: Sister Bernice Cullen and Sister Carmelita Soloman. Later a third Sister, Sister Frances Murphy, joined the staff. Belcourt Centre has a full yearly schedule of events fro Spiritual Renewal, and for the parishioners who had supported the convent so faithfully, it has been great joy "to see the lights in the convent again".  

            To reflect adequately on the contribution made by the Sisters of Notre Dame at the convent from 1882 would be a monumental task. Here we have space only to highlight a few outstanding ways in which a lasting impression was effected for people of the parish and far beyond its limits, and mention a few points of special interest in the history of the convent.

            Formation in the Christian life was always foremost in the program provided by the Sister, and daily religious instruction and prayer... 

            Cultural training was offered through music, drama and art; and through instruction and example, pupils acquired a general refinement that has carried down from generation to generation...

            The good religious formation provided in the school and the example of the Sisters encouraged those who ere called to the priesthood and the religious life..  For nearly one hundred years, the daughters of Marguerite Bourgeoys gave to Rustico families and to families far beyond the parish boundaries a solid formation in the Christian life, first class instruction in academic subjects, and a cultural education that no report card can evaluate. Though the convent they knew is no more, the people of Rustico recognize that the lives of families trained at the convent were transformed by the Sisters, and their gratitude will not diminish in the years to come. It seems very fitting that the former convent now serves as a Diocesan Retreat House under the name Belcourt Center."

Notre Dame Convent, Charlottetown to close after 155 years

     The following is an image of Notre Dame Convent at 246 Sydney Street comes from Historic Places website.  The convent faces northward over Hillsborough Public Square.  The convent will close in January 2014. http://www.gov.pe.ca/hpo/app.php?nav=details&p=1651

     The large convent was opened on July 5th, 1870, design by Architect John Corbett.   Notre Dame Academy operated her until 1971.  Below is an image of it today.

     Below is another image of the convent, cf. http://www.gov.pe.ca/wallpaper/index.php3?category=Postcards&start=103&action=go

And another image cf. http://archivesvirtuelles-cnd.org/en/node/3406

Below is an article from the Journal-Pioneer newspaper website:

http://www.journalpioneer.com/section/2013-11-25/article-3501329/Notre-Dame-Convent-in-Charlottetown-to-close-in-January/1

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Notre Dame Convent in Charlottetown to close in January

Special Celebration Planned for Tuesday, November 26th

CHARLOTTETOWN - After 155 years of commitment Notre Dame Convent in Charlottetown is closing its doors.

     Sr. Elizabeth Dunn stands outside Notre Dame Convent in Charlottetown.  A special service of thanksgiving will be given at St. Dunstans Bascillica at 2pm on Tuesday, November 26th, followed by an open house, refreshments and a closing ritual at Notre Dame Convent.

      “The convent leaves a lasting legacy, but it is time to embrace change,” says Sister Joan Marie Chaisson, community leader. “Daring to listen to the challenges of today, the sisters of Notre Dame Convent have arranged for an outside agency to provide health care for the sisters … They do so with a sense of loss but knowing there is newness in the life before them and their mission continues no matter where their home may be.”

            To give thanks for all that Notre Dame has been to so many people through the year, a mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Dunstan Basilica at 2 p.m. on Nov. 26, followed by an open house, refreshments and a closing ritual at Notre Dame Convent.

            “As we reflect on history, we see people who had a dream, a vision and a conviction that led them to invite others to help them achieve this goal,” says Chaisson as she looks back at the convent’s history which had its start in the middle decades of the 19th century.

            At the time, Dan Brennan, a local resident of Charlottetown, and Monsignor Bernard MacDonald, bishop of Charlottetown, were acutely aware of the call to further the education of young women. Brennan donated two lots of land and a dwelling at the corner of Weymouth and Sydney streets for a school, and MacDonald asked the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal for sisters to staff this school. On Sept. 25, 1857, four sisters arrived in Charlottetown. Within a month, the first students were welcomed to St. Anne's School, which later became known as Notre Dame Academy.

            This was the beginning of the Congregation of Notre Dame's legacy of education in the province which spread to all parts of Prince Edward Island

            The annals of the convent's beginning reads like an evolving story of the joys and accomplishments in education. Along with reading, writing and arithmetic, courses were provided in music, singing, piano lessons, art and home economics. The spiritual needs of the students were met with retreats, eucharistic celebrations and other parish activities.

            Throughout the history of Notre Dame Convent, annals also tell of the generosity of the people. Many Islanders helped maintain the school in its first years of growth through tea parties, bazaars, gifts and volunteer services.

            The student population grew rapidly and in 1870, a five-storey building, the present Notre Dame Convent, was opened. In 1911 the interior of St. Anne's School was renovated and incorporated into a new brick wing.

            With this new addition it was possible to accommodate students who attended Prince of Wales College. Thus, another chapter had begun in serving and furthering the education needs of young women. These women came from all parts of P.E.I. and many returned to teach in the rural schools.

            With an increase of high school students, a modern and well-equipped high school wing was added in the spring of 1955.

            “When a new approach to public education on P.E.I. met the needs of the young people, the sisters decided to phase out the school,” says Chaisson. “In June 1971, the last 28 graduates of Notre Dame received their diplomas. Some of the sisters remained in the field of education accepting teaching positions in the public schools throughout the province.”

            True to the spirit of the foundress, Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, several sisters engaged in an outreach to the broader community offering their gifts in various ministries such as religious instructions, retreat work, visitation of the sick and shut-ins, counselling, pastoral ministry and volunteer and tutorial in schools. The sisters continue to respond to proclaim the Gospel in our contemporary church and world.

            As time went on, it became evident that the need for health care for the sisters was necessary. Changes were made to the facility, and in time, part of the house became a health-care facility for the sisters under the efficient care of a nursing staff.

            “The dream, which began with four sisters and 15 students, expanded to include hundreds of sisters and many, many students,” says Chaisson. “The sisters of Notre Dame Convent School leave a legacy that will continue to live on in the people of Prince Edward Island for many years to come.”

            A decision as to the future of the building will be determined by the Congregation Leadership Team in Bedford, N.S.