New Convent Building Erected at St. Catharine's in 1906 Permitted Opening of St. Catharine's First School in 1907

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During the first years of the 20th century -- certainly before 1903 -- St. Catharine's Church in the Village of North Pelham built a lovely Lyceum building adjacent to the church.  The Lyceum was used as, among other things, a social hall and community gathering space for the congregation and its guests.  The first rector of the church, the Rev. Father Francis McNichol, had greater plans for the Lyceum even when it was first built.  He planned to use it as a catholic school for youngsters in the region.

Father McNichol began an initiative to raise the funds for, and build, a convent next to the church to house nuns who would run the school.  Father McNichol made no secret of his plans.  Indeed, during the early years of the 20th century, people of North Pelham expected that St. Catharine's would erect a convent, but no one knew when.  Then, on January 25, 1906, a local newspaper reported a pleasant surprise.  It said:  "a fine new convent building will be built this spring on First avenue, costing it is thought, about $6,000.  It will be complete before next fall."

By the time of this news report, Father McNichol already had been long and hard at work.  He had retained a well-known architect, popular in New York circles, who happened to live in nearby Pelham Heights:  A. G. C. Fletcher.  Fletcher already was preparing architectural plans for the convent that were expected to be finished within weeks.  

Father McNichol believed the cost to construct the convent would be about $6,000.  By January 25, 1906, Father McNichol already had arranged pledges from parishioners and friends of the church totaling $4,000.  He further vowed to have the entire amount not only pledged, but also paid before the convent was completed.

As always, the energetic, dedicated, and passionate Father McNichol had been a busy bee.  He already had arranged with the convent of Sisters from the Order of St. Francis in Mount Hope, Westchester County to serve as a Mother House and provide nuns for the new convent.  Father McNichol's end game, of course, was not a convent.  Rather, it was a new Catholic school to be run by nuns of the new convent.  He planned to open the school in the Lyceum building by the fall of 1906.  According to a local newspaper:

"Beginning next fall a school is to be operated in the fine new building, known as the lyceum, located beside the church, and the Sisters will have whole charge of the work there.  Father McNichol says that the idea of bringing the Sisters here is not only to teach the little ones to love and serve God, but to have the Sisters visit the poor and sick, irrespective of creed.  He feels that there is great need of having such a work done in North Pelham."

Father McNichol was in the midst of building an important, much-needed, and full-service Catholic Parish.  Father McNichol was the first rector of St. Catharine's Church which celebrated its first Mass on December 8 1896.  At its beginning, the church was a mission of St. Gabriel's Church in New Rochelle.  A year or so later, however, it became an independent parish with Rev. Francis McNichol serving as the first pastor. 

Rev. McNichol was, indeed, a busy bee.  When he first arrived at the newly-constructed church, it was still unfurnished.  It also stood on the only land the church owned.  First, he raised funds and oversaw completion of the Church furnishings.  He then raised funds, purchased additional land, and oversaw construction of the first Rectory in 1899.  Shortly afterward, he raised funds again, and oversaw construction of the Lyceum -- the building he planned to use as a school.  By 1906, Father McNichol had arranged purchase of six pieces of land that gave the church a frontage on both First Avenue and Second Avenue.  He also funded the construction of an iron fence "of handsome pattern" enclosing the entire property.  The fence alone cost $1,400.  

Father McNichol was in the midst of an initiative to do more than build an important, much-needed, and full-service Catholic Parish.  He was in the midst of a passionate project to beautify a section of the community that, at the time, looked out over the spectacularly-beautiful "Pelham Reservoir" that still provided drinking water to local communities including Pelham.  By the time the project to build the convent was announced in late January, 1906, the church and Father McNichol already had expended an impressive $30,000 to develop the area, with the convent expected to cost an additional $6,000 (a grand total of almost $1,050,000 in today's dollars for a church still in its infancy).  According to a local newspaper, by 1906, "The buildings and property of the church are factors in making that locality of North Pelham the prettiest in the town."

Though there is no explanation for the delay, the architectural plans that, in late January, were expected "within weeks," were still not complete by late May.  They were, however, reportedly expected by that date within "a few days."  

The plans apparently were forthcoming.  As of May 29, a construction contract already had been awarded to "a Mr. Doran, of New Rochelle" whom research has not yet identified with certainty.  Additionally, construction began immediately in the hope that the convent would be completed by early fall so that the new school in the Lyceum could open to young scholars.  

The convent was planned as a small, but three-story "residence" overlooking the Pelham Reservoir.  On the first floor was a reception room, a musical room, and a chapel in the front portion of the structure.  A dining room and kitchen were in the rear of the first floor.  On the second floor was a communion room and a number of bedrooms.  The third floor had only additional bedrooms.  A "fine veranda" graced the front and side of the convent.  

Construction progressed but, nearly as always, was slower than expected.  By July 9, nearly seven weeks later, only the foundation of the building had been completed.  The frame of the building was under construction.  

A little more than two weeks later, the entire body of the building was complete.  Even more importantly, the entire roof had been shingled.  A local newspaper reported that the convent "will probably be completed by September."  Father McNichol suddenly seemed to realize -- the Parish would soon have a new convent that needed FURNISHINGS.  


Rev. Father McNichol began his next initiative.  By the end of August 1906, a local newspaper reported that "there has been given to him from various sources and from the friends of the church, furniture and furnishings for some of the rooms in the new convent now nearing completion.  He has a handsome dining room set which was the property of a well known person, a close friend of Rev. Father McNichol.  The name is not disclosed.  One has also donated to the convent a handsome altar."

It was apparent, however, that though much had been done, more had to be.  It seems that no attention yet had been paid to furnishing the convent under construction.  Father McNichol took control.  He arranged furnishings "from various sources and from the friends of the church," to fill some of the rooms of the convent that was nearing completion.  He arranged "a handsome dining room set which was the property of a well known person."  Additionally, an unnamed donor had gifted a "handsome altar" to the convent."

The convent needed more.  Things were not quite going as planned.  Something had to be done.  Everything was clear.  It was time to do what every church in the Town of Pelham had done when quick funds were needed since the 1840s -- sponsor a Church Bazaar!  This one, however, seems to have been a three-day doozy.  

In late September, St. Catharine's Church sponsored its three-day bazaar.  It resembled a fair with booths, dancing, games, and more.  The bazaar was a tremendous success and raised enough money for both the church and the convent so that furnishings could be completed.

At about this time, completion of construction of the new convent was delayed.  On October 16, 1906, a local newspaper reported that "Work on the convent is being delayed owing to the fact that there is a great lack of what is known in the language of carpenters as 'the trim.'  The factories are running nights, but that fact does not help out the present predicament.  In view of this fact, Rev. Father McNichol could not tell yesterday when the convent would be opened."

Things were not much better a month later.  On November 20, Father McNichol announced that the new convent likely would not be completed until about the middle of December.  

The convent was virtually finished on Saturday, December 15, 1906 when Father McNichol hosted the first mass in the chapel of the convent to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Because the building was not quite complete, the archbishop was unable to bless the new convent on this occasion.

By Christmas Eve, four sisters from the Order of St. Francis were living in the new convent.  The Superioress of the new convent was Sister Bernadine.  That day, Father McNichol announced proudly that with the convent completed and the nuns in place, the new Catholic school would be opened in the first part of January, after the holidays.  According to The Daily Argus:  "The school will be conducted in the lyceum on Second avenue, for which purpose it was originally built.  The studies will be the same as those in the local schools."

Alas, like the completion of the new convent, the opening of the new Catholic school at St. Catharine's was delayed.  On Monday, February 11, 1907, the new school opened in the Lyceum building.  According to a local news report:

"The establishment of this school has been made possible through the efforts of Rev. Father McNichol and is the consummation of some of his plans formulated some time ago relative to the work of the parish.  The school was opened in the lyceum on Second avenue last Monday morning, under the direction of Sisters Bernardine, Florence and Emilian.  Rev. Father McNichol stated this morning that the regular studies which are taught in the public schools would be required of all the scholars.  The regents' examinations will have to be taken by the scholars of this school the same as any school, before they will be allowed to enter the high school."    

Pelham had a new school for young scholars.  It could be justly proud of the new institution.

Believed to be the Convent Erected in 1906.  Input and Confirmation

or Correction is Welcomed!  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from 1908 Map Showing Location of St. Catharine's Convent.

Source:  Fairchild, John F., Atlas of the City of Mount Vernon and

the Town of Pelham:  Compiled from Official Records, Personal

Surveys, and Other Private Plans and Surveys, Plate 27 (Mount Vernon,

NY:  2d ed., 1908).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"NEW CONVENT BUILDING TO BE ERECTED IN NORTH PELHAM
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Will Be Located on First Avenue in Rear of Church and Cost $6,000 -- Working on Plans.
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Following the news that a factory building was to be built shortly in North Pelham, which was given exclusively in the Argus Monday, comes the pleasing information that a fine new convent building will be built this spring on First avenue, costing it is thought, about $6,000.  It will be complete before next fall.

Effective Work.

This information was given to an Argus representative by the Rev. Father Francis McNichol, pastor of St. Catherine [sic] church, at the rectory, yesterday afternoon.  It is understood that the people of the village of North Pelham have been expecting the church would some time erect a convent, but just when, no one seemed to know.  The fact that it is to be built, positively, and this spring, too, comes as very pleasing news to the residents of the village.  Father McNichol has a happy faculty of keeping very steadily at work, but of doing it in a quiet and unassuming manner.  Whatever he has done -- which is a great deal -- since he has been in the village, has been accomplished without any blare of trumpets.

Working on Plans.

Father McNichol stated that the convent would be built directly in the rear of the church, facing on First avenue.  The church itself faces on Second avenue.  The plans are now being made by A. G. C. Fletcher, of New York, the well known architect, whose home is in Pelham Heights.  They will be completed in a few weeks.  As soon as they are done, specifications for the erection of the building will be given to reputable builders.

Cost $6,000.

Father McNichol stated that the convent would cost about six thousand dollars, as mentioned above.  Of this amount the parishioners and friends of the church have pledged over $4,000.  He expects to have the entire amount pledged and paid in before the building is completed.

Sisters of St. Francis.

The convent will be occupied by the Sisters from the Order of St. Francis, the mother house of which is located in Mount Hope, Westchester county.  Beginning next fall a school is to be operated in the fine new building, known as the lyceum, located beside the church, and the Sisters will have whole charge of the work there.  Father McNichol says that the idea of bringing the Sisters here is not only to teach the little ones to love and serve God, but to have the Sisters visit the poor and sick, irrespective of creed.  He feels that there is great need of having such a work done in North Pelham.

Great Growth.

When asked a few words about the parish, he stated that its growth during the past eight years has been phenomenal.  He is the first pastor the church ever had and came here eight years ago.  When he arrived on the ground he found the church unfurnished.  There was no rectory, and the only land the parish owned was that on which the church stood.  Since then the church has been beautifully furnished, and both a rectory and lyceum have been built, both of which, he wished it understood, are paid for.  Six pieces of land have been purchased since he has been here, giving the church property a frontage on two avenues.  The entire property is surrounded by an iron fence of handsome pattern which cost $1,400.

Factors in Town.

Thirty thousand dollars has been expended in making the above mentioned numerous improvements, and when the convent is completed the total expense will foot up to over $36,000.  The buildings and property of the church are factors in making that locality of North Pelham the prettiest in the town."

Source:  NEW CONVENT BUILDING TO BE ERECTED IN NORTH PELHAM -- Will Be Located on First Avenue in Rear of Church and Cost $6,000 -- Working on Plans, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 25, 1906, Whole No. 4225, p. 1, cols. 6-7.

"NORTH PELHAM. . . . 
Newsy Notes. . . . 

Rev. Father McNichol of St. Catherine's [sic] church announced Friday afternoon that the plans now being made by Mr. Fletcher of Pelham Heights for the new convent to be erected on First avenue, in the rear of the rectory, would be out in a few days. . . ."

Source:  NORTH PELHAM. . . . Newsy Notes, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 24, 1906, p. 5, cols. 2-3.  

"WORK BEGINS ON BUILDING NEW CONVENT
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In North Pelham -- Contract Awarded to a Contractor of New Rochelle
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COST IS $6,000 AND TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR
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North Pelham, May 29.  --  Work on the new $6,000 convent for St. Catherine's church in North Pelham has been begun.  The contract for the erection of the building has been given to a Mr. Doran, of New Rochelle.  Rev. Father McNichol stated Monday that he hoped the convent would be completed by early fall.

As has been previously stated in these columns, this convent will be occupied by the Sisters of the Order of St. Francis.  A. G. C. Fletcher is the architect.  According to his plans, the building will be three stories in height and will be a frame structure.  On the first floor there will be a reception room, a musical room and a chapel, all of which will be located in the front portion of the house.  The dining room and kitchen will be on the first floor in the rear.  On the second floor will be found the communion room and the bed rooms.  The third floor will consist entirely of bed rooms.  The interior will be decorated and arranged in an attractive manner.  A fine veranda will grace the front and side of the house.

When the convent is completed the property belonging to the Catholic church will represent a valuation of $36,000.  Already the building and adjoining land on Second avenue form one of the pleasantest spots in Pelham and are a credit to the village and a monument to the energy and efforts of the present rector, the Rev. Father McNichol."

Source:  WORK BEGINS ON BUILDING NEW CONVENT -- In North Pelham -- Contract Awarded to a Contractor of New Rochelle -- COST IS $6,000 AND TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 29, 1906, Whole No. 4329, p. 1, col. 3. 

"VICINITY NEWS.
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NORTH PELHAM. . . . 

Good progress is being made in the construction of the convent of St. Catherine's [sic] church on First avenue, North Pelham.  The foundation has been completed and the carpenters are now at work on the frame of the building."

Source:  VICINITY NEWS -- NORTH PELHAM, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 9, 1906, p. 5, cols. 1-2.  

"VICINITY NEWS. . . . 

NORTH PELHAM. . . . 

Good progress is being made in the erection of the convent for St. Catherine's [sic] church in North Pelham.  The body of the building is up and the roof has been shingled.  It will probably be completed by September. . . ."

Source:  VICINITY NEWS. . . . NORTH PELHAM, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY] Jul. 25, 1906, p. 5, cols. 1-2.   

"VICINITY NEWS. . . .
NORTH PELHAM. . . .
Several Gifts Received.

Rev. Father McNichol of St. Catherine's church of North Pelham, reports that there has been given to him from various sources and from the friends of the church, furniture and furnishings for some of the rooms in the new convent now nearing completion.  He has a handsome dining room set which was the property of a well known person, a close friend of Rev. Father McNichol.  The name is not disclosed.  One has also donated to the convent a handsome altar.  The proceeds of the bazaar or fair to be held the latter part of September, will be used toward furnishing the convent, as there are many rooms in the building."

Source:  VICINITY NEWS. . . . NORTH PELHAM. . . . Several Gifts Received, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 31, 1906, p. 6, cols. 3-4.  

"Events in North Pelham. . . . 
Other News.

The iron fence in front of the property of St. Catherine's church is being freshly painted a dark green.

Work on the convent is being delayed owing to the fact that there is a great lack of what is known in the language of carpenters as 'the trim.'  The factories are running nights, but that fact does not help out the present predicament.  In view of this fact, Rev. Father McNichol could not tell yesterday when the convent would be opened."

Source:  Events in North Pelham. . . . Other News, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 16, 1906, p. 7, cols. 1-2.  

"Events in North Pelham. . . . 

Rev. Francis P. McNichol, rector of St. Catherine's [sic] church, stated this morning that he expected the new convent on First avenue would be completed by the middle of December, and that the sisters would be occupying it by that time."

Source:  Events in North Pelham, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 20, 1906, p. 6, cols. 1-2.  

"NORTH PELHAM.
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NINTH ANNIVERSARY
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Of Rev. Father McNichol's Rectorship on Saturday.
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The Rev. Father Francis P. McNichol, rector of St. Catherine's church in Pelham, will observe Saturday, his ninth anniversary as pastor of the local church.

During his pastorate in Pelham, the local parish has grown steadily.  When Father McNichol arrived in Pelham, there was no rectory.  He found the church unfurnished and inferior in its appointments.  The only land the parish owned was that on which the church stood.  Since that time the church has been beautifully decorated and furnished.  The rectory, lyceum and the new convent have been built, all of which are three of the finest buildings in the town.  The convent has been in the course of construction since last spring and will be completed soon.  This building alone cost $6,000 and will be occupied by the sisters of the order of St. Francis, the mother house of which is located in Mount Hope, Westchester county.

The lyceum and the rectory face on Second avenue and the new convent on First avenue.  This building is a wooden structure but of the most modern pattern.  It will be furnished in an up-to-date style.  Thirty thousand dollars have been expended in making the above mentioned improvements and when the convent is completed the total expense will foot up to over $36,000.  The buildings are factors in making that locality of North Pelham the prettiest in the town.  The entire property is surrounded by an iron fence of handsome patter which will cost $1,400.  

Rev. Father McNichol recently bought the tract of land north of the rectory and extending from Second avenue to the convent.  This purchase has enlarged the property and given a good sized yard for the convent.

Rev. Father McNichol will say his first mass in the chapel of the convent next Saturday, when the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated.  The archbishop would have been present on this occasion to bless the convent if the building had been completed.  On Sunday, in honor of his anniversary, the last mass will be followed by the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  There will be extra music for this service."

Source:  NORTH PELHAM -- NINTH ANNIVERSARY -- Of Rev. Father McNichol's Rectorship on Saturday, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 7, 1906, p. 5, col. 3.

"Events in North Pelham. . . .
New School Opening.

It is announced by the Rev. Father Francis McNichol, rector of St. Catherine's church, that the new Catholic school would be opened during the first part of January, after the holidays.  It has been known for some time that such a school would be started but the date for the opening could not be set owing to the fact that the convent had not been completed.  The latter is now practically finished and four sisters from the Order of St. Francis are now occupying it.  Sister Bernadine is the superioress.  The school will be conducted in the lyceum on Second avenue, for which purpose it was originally built.  The studies will be the same as those in the local schools."

Source:  Events in North Pelham. . . . New School Opening, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 24, 1906, p. 7, cols. 1-2.  

"NORTH PELHAM
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New Parochial School In Connection With Parish of St. Catherine's Church Opens
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COMPLAINS OF SIDEWALKS
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Political Matters May Soon Be Booming as Village Election is Not Far Distant -- Officers Elected of Ladies' Aid Society of the Congregational Church -- Services in the Churches.
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North Pelham, Feb. 16. -- A new school has been started at North Pelham in connection with the parish of St. Catherine's [sic] church.  The establishment of this school has been made possible through the efforts of Rev. Father McNichol and is the consummation of some of his plans formulated some time ago relative to the work of the parish.  The school was opened in the lyceum on Second avenue last Monday morning, under the direction of Sisters Bernardine, Florence and Emilian.  Rev. Father McNichol stated this morning that the regular studies which are taught in the public schools would be required of all the scholars.  The regents' examinations will have to be taken by the scholars of this school the same as any school, before they will be allowed to enter the high school.  The parish of St. Catherine's church is one of the most complete of its kind in Westchester county at the present time.  During the past year a fine convent building has been erected and this houses the sisters of the parish.  It was the purpose of Rev. Father McNichol to open this school just as soon as the convent was completed."

Source:  NORTH PELHAM -- New Parochial School In Connection With Parish of St. Catherine's Church Opens -- COMPLAINS OF SIDEWALKS -- Political Matters May Soon Be Booming as Village Election is Not Far Distant -- Officers Elected of Ladies' Aid Society of the Congregational Church -- Services in the Churches, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 16, 1907, p. 3, col. 2.

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