Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sisters, Servants Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary
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St. Mary Academy
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 18, 2026
1. Sisters, Servants Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary side of marker
Sisters, Servants Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary
In 1845 Father Louis Florent Gillet (1813-1892), a Belgian Redemptorist missionary, and Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin (1810-1892), a mixed-race woman of Haitian descent, cofounded a congregation of Catholic nuns at this site. Called the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), they established a Catholic school for girls. In their distinctive blue habits, the IHM Sisters worked in dozens of Michigan Catholic schools. They taught in more than thirty states, Central and South America, Puerto Rico, and Africa. In the later twentieth century, they expanded their ministry into spiritual development, pastoral care, and social justice advocacy.
St. Mary Academy
St. Mary Academy, under the direction of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, opened a convent and school in a modest log cabin along the River Raisin in 1846. It had grown into a brick complex at this site by 1881. Increased enrollment prompted the construction of a new school across Elm Avenue, St. Mary College and Academy, which opened in 1905. The college was moved to the west
this page online
Erected 2025 by Michigan Historical Commission; Michigan History Center. (Marker Number L2382.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 41° 55.087′ N, 83° 23.888′ W. Marker is in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of West Front Street and North Monroe Street on West Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 W Front St, Monroe MI 48161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 18, 2026
2. St. Mary Academy side of marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (here, next to this marker); River Raisin Legacy Project (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named River Raisin Legacy Project (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Major-General George Armstrong Custer (about 400 feet away); General George A. Custer (about 400 feet away); St. Mary Catholic Church (about 400 feet away); George Armstrong Custer / Sighting the Enemy (about 400 feet away); Monroe Street Bridge (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.
Other markers no longer nearby. River Raisin Legacy Project (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Historic River Raisin (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 18, 2026
3. Sisters, Servants Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary / St. Mary Academy Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
