St. Martin in Brown County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Ursulines of Brown County
On July 21, 1845, eleven Ursuline sisters from Boulogne-sur-Mer and Beaulieu, France, arrived in St. Martin, Brown County, Ohio. A Catholic order of sisters known for providing quality education to young women, the Ursulines were invited by Cincinnati Archbishop John Baptist Purcell (1800-1883) to establish a school in the diocese and granted approximately 400 acres in St. Martin for that purpose. Led by Mother Julia Chatfield (1808-1878), the sisters quickly established their convent, a day school, and, within the year, admitted their first boarders. Originally known as The Saint Ursula Literary Institute, the school operated for the next 136 years. The Ursulines educated local students from their adopted Brown County as well as many who came from across the U.S. and farther abroad to board on campus.
Between 1845-1981, the School of the Brown County Ursulines taught 4.262 students from the Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faiths. An 1858 prospectus announced the school's intention to form young ladies to virtue ornament their minds with useful information, and cultivate those qualities which render virtue attractive, not only in the family circle but in society. That vision expanded in 1974 to include young men. In 1958, the Ursuline Teacher Training Institute was established to prepare novitiates for their careers in education. It incorporated as Chatfield College in 1971 offering two-year Associate of Arts degrees to the wider public, and now boasts a second campus in Cincinnati. Chatfield College continues the legacy of the Ursulines of Brown County with a modern mission rooted in faith, community, and collaboration.
Erected 2021 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation; Brown County Ursuline Alumni Association Chatfield College; The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 13-8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1845.
Location. 39° 12.689′ N, 83° 53.623′ W. Marker is in St. Martin, Ohio, in Brown County. Marker is at the intersection of Anderson State Road and Ohio Route 251, on the right when traveling east on Anderson State Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20918 Anderson State Rd, Fayetteville OH 45118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Solomon Run Low-Head Dam Removal (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Angela Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chatfield Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fr. Raymond Kammerer Library & Learning Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gymnasium (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welcome Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Cross in The Wilderness" (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Martin.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 36 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.