Our Lady of Victory - Fort Worth Texas
N 32° 42.075 W 097° 19.962
14S E 656284 N 3619397
Quick Description: This building was used for many years as a convent. It is now being restored as the Victory Arts Center.
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 8/14/2009 11:15:32 AM
Waymark Code: WM70EP
Views: 2
Long Description:From the website:
(
visit link)
1909 - Our Lady of Victory Academy was designed by the prominent
Fort Worth architectural firm of Sanguinet and Staats. The large
Gothic Revival style structure featured red pressed brick with
limestone trim. The cornerstone was laid in a ceremony on August 5,
1909.
1910 - The Our Lady of Victory Academy opened as a day school
and boarding school for young women and girls. The Sisters of Saint
Mary of Namur founded the school as an outgrowth of Saint Ignatius
Academy in downtown Fort Worth. It served also as convent for the
Sisters.
1930’s- A junior college was added.
1956 - The college and the novitiate were moved to the
University of Dallas.
1960’s - The high school stopped taking boarders in 1961. The
high school was moved and named Nolan Catholic High School, a
co-educational institution. The elementary school remains on the
grounds.
1980’s - Upkeep of the convent became too difficult for the few
elderly sisters remaining in the convent. Renovation was deemed too
costly. The Order of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur had a new
convent constructed to the north west of the building and ceased
using the 1909 structure.
1991- The Sisters sought to obtain a demolition permit for the
building. There was a moratorium on the demolition of historic
buildings in Fort Worth, and the Sisters agreed to let the Historic
Preservation Council for Tarrant County market the building for a
year.
1992- Historic Landmarks, Inc. was founded and purchased the
building for $60,000. The building was spared the wrecking ball,
but unfortunately much of its statuary and decor had been sold or
pilfered.
1993 - In March, a fundraiser was held at Rockin’ Rodeo
country-western club with over 500 people in attendance. In
October, Hemphill Hall Haunted House opened to help raise
renovation funds for the 65,000 square-foot building.
2002 - Funding was secured and construction began to renovate
the building into the Victory Arts Center, a unique residential and
studio space designed especially for Fort Worth’s creative
community.
2004 – Victory Arts Center opened its doors.
The building is a City of Fort Worth Landmark and is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places.