University Park in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Members of the Society of Mary in North America in 1849

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 23, 2026

1. First Members of the Society of Mary in North America in 1849 Marker

Inscription.
To commemorate the arrival of the first members of the Society of Mary in North America in 1849 and to give thanks for one hundred and fifty years of Marianist life and service on this continent, this plaque is placed on the University of Dayton campus, home to the first Apostolic work founded by the Society of Mary in the "new world."

Done in the year of Our Lord 2000, also the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of William Joseph Chaminade's death and the year of his beatification.

Erected 2000 by Cincinnati Province of the Society of Mary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 39° 44.348′ N, 84° 10.666′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in University Park. It is at the intersection of University Circle and College Park, on the right when traveling east on University Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 College Park, Dayton OH 45409, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Miami Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Erma Bombeck (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary’s Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Campaign for the University of Dayton

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(about 500 feet away); National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (about 600 feet away); Blessed (about 700 feet away); Our Lady of the Pines (approx. ¼ mile away); Wrights Rest at Woodland (approx. ¼ mile away); Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 23, 2026

2. First Members of the Society of Mary in North America in 1849 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.