Holy Cross College - Worcester, MA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Two buildings are included in the Holy Cross; Fenwick Hall and O'Kane Hall. Fenwick Hall was built in the 1840's and has been enlarged/altered multiple times. It is a 3 1/2 story building constructed out of brick. It has elements of Victorian Gothic, Second Empire and Classical Revival architectural styles. The building has two prominent towers that provided for the main entrance way between them. The entrace way has a portico protecting the singel doorway. The portico has 6 Corinthian columns. Expansions to the building has included raising it one storey, west wing additon and the towers added with the portico addition in 1907. It was quoted "Few traces of the original builing remain; the transformation has been so perfect that but a small part of the first foundations have been left undisturbed" Worcester Commercial Magazine 1893.

O'Kane Hall was built in 1895. O'Kane Hall is a five storey brick structure. It has a central tower and end pavilions. It has elements of Romanesque Revival and Renaissance Revival architectural styles. It has reguraly spaced windows which are not that distinct, however on the right wing there are 3 2 storey arched windows that are quite distinctive. It has a single doorway protected by a portico that jutes out from the prominent clock tower.


Given that the nomination focuses on 2 building Holy Cross is really about the college. Holy Cross College has occupied the present campus since 1836 when Reverend James Fitton bought a 60 acre farm on Pakachoag Hill. Fitton organized Worcester's first Roman Catholic Church and hired Tobias Boland, a local builder, to construct a wooden building on the property which becamce the Seminary of Mount Saint James.

In 1842 Fitton transferred title to the property to Bishop Benedict Fenwick, Boston's Bishop. Fenwick sought the aid of the Jesuit priests from Georgetown College in Washington DC to help establish the curriculm. In 1843 the academy building began construction where Fenwick Hall stands today. Upon the completing this building contained the school, administrative functions and dorm.

From 1849 to 1865, Holy Cross was unchartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to grant academic degrees. During this period degrees were granted thru Georgetown College. In 1865, Holy Cross became chartered due to the easing of anti-Catholic setiments following the Civil War.

From schools founding until the addition of O'Kane Hall in 1895, Fenwick housed nearly all of the activities associated with the college. After 1904, many other buildings were added to the campus, however Fenwick and O'Kane are the foundation buildings of the school.

Street address: Holy Cross College Campus Worcester , MA County / Borough / Parish: Worcester Year listed: 1980 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event Periods of significance: 1875-1899, 1825-1849 Historic function: Education Current function: Education Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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