Saint Mary Academy Complex - Paducah, Kentucky - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

"This complex of buildings stands today as a monument to Paducah's first major private educational institution, St. Mary Academy. Since 1858, St. Mary Academy has been the most important private educational institution in Paducah, Generations of Catholic students were educated here, providing the community with a core of well-educated and committed citizens. Graduates of St. Mary Academy have served this community as leaders of government, religion, business-, and civic participation.

The cornerstone of the complex, the .189.1 convent-classroom building, is the oldest surviving educational building 'in Paducah and the only 19th century educational building still standing in Paducah. Later buildings in the complex testify to the growth and prominence of the school. The structures, which, range in architectural styles from the Queen Anne to the Classical Revival, are architecturally significant in the community's development. The complex, which remains relatively unaltered, is a unique survivor locally of the large school complexes that educated generations of students.

The academy was founded in 1858, after Bishop John Spalding of Louisville suggested to the Sisters of Chairity of Nazareth in Nelson County that they open a school in Paducah. In September, 1858, three Sisters of Charity arrived in Paducah to found the school. The sisters were lead by a Sister Martha, known for her "surpassing zeal, energy, kindliness, and piety." The sisters opened a school that October in a building on Broadway. In December, 1858, the sisters bought property at the corner of Fifth and Broadway for $3000. A frame building on the corner was used for the sisters' residence and a brick building was converted into a school. Enrolling sixty students in the first year, St. Mary Academy was the first major educational institution in Paducah. The first commencement exercises were held in June, 1859." - National Register Nomination Form

Street address: Bounded by Fourth, Fifth, Monroe, and Jefferson Sts Paducah, Kentucky County / Borough / Parish: McCracken Year listed: 1987 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949 Historic function: Religion Current function: Commerce/Trade, 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

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   06/28/2011 trailhound1 visited it