St. Charles College, Maryland

St. Charles College was a seminary college in Catonsville, Maryland, originally from Ellicott City, Maryland.

History

1776

Charles Carroll of Carrollton signs the Declaration of Independence for Maryland. One of the wealthiest men in the Americas, Carroll staked his fortune on the American Revolution. After the Revolution, Carroll becomes president of the Maryland Senate and divides his time between Doughoregan Manor and Annapolis. At his death in 1832, he is the last surviving Signer and is laid to rest in the Family chapel at Doughoregan.

1799

[http://www.terramaria.com/history6.jpgArchbishop Marechal]
Ambrose Maréchal, the future third archbishop of Baltimore, and other Sulpician priests are frequent guests at Doughoregan, saying Mass there often and gaining the ear of the Signer. It is during subsequent years that a request of land is made for a minor seminary. Carroll, however, denies the request because he feels he cannot donate any part of his patrimony.

1830

[http://www.terramaria.com/history7.jpgEmily Caton Mactavish] Emily Caton MacTavish, favorite granddaughter of the Signer and sister of the "Three American Graces," convinces Carroll to give 253 acres to the Sulpician Fathers for the erection of a minor seminary — Saint Charles. She accomplishes this by suggesting he donate land that he had bought during his lifetime. Included is Mary's Lott, so aptly named for a gift to the Church, thought Carroll at the time.

1848

[http://www.terramaria.com/history8.jpgSt Charles Seminary] The first building of Saint Charles Seminary is completed and the college opens with the president, Father Oliver Jenkins; a deacon, Edward Caton; and four students.

1866

[http://www.terramaria.com/history9.jpgSt Charles Chapel] Our Lady of the Angels Chapel is completed after long delays caused by the American Civil War. An imitation of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, the building is 110' long, 34' wide and 50' high. It is lavishly decorated mainly through the generosity of its first rector; Father Jenkins.

1898

[http://web.archive.org/web/20070414143021/http://terramaria.com/history10.jpgEnlarged St Charles] [http://www.terramaria.com/history11.jpgSt Charles grounds] A vastly enlarged Saint Charles College celebrates its 50th anniversary.The park-like grounds of Saint Charles looking southeast towards Frederick Road.

1911

[http://www.terramaria.com/history12.jpgRemains Today] Disaster strikes: the College is completely destroyed by fire. Miraculously, none of the 200+ faculty and students is killed or injured. Sacred vessels and vestments, along with thousands of priceless manuscripts and books are all lost. The burned-out shell is pulled down and the salvageable building materials are transported to Catonsville where the College is quickly rebuilt. All that remains standing are the ruins of the 1906 Recreation Hall.

1969

High School Department was closed and the junior college merged with the upper college of St. Mary's Seminary and renamed St. Mary's Seminary College

1977

The college closed and the property was sold to Erickson Retirement Communities Inc. and is presently known as Charlestown Retirement Community.

Famous Alumni

*John Surratt
*Louis J. Weichmann