LEADING  MANUFACTURERS  AND  MERCHANTS  CITY  OF  BROOKLYN


St. Joseph's Academy, for Young Ladies

near Main Street Depot, Flushing.-

This popular and widely known academy was founded in 1810 as an Episcopalian 
Seminary, under the title of St. Thomas' Hall. In 1860, however, it passed 
into the hands of the Sisters of St. Joseph, of which the building has its name. 

It is under the management of the Sisters of St. Joseph and under the patronage 
of the Bishop of the Brooklyn diocese. The lady superior is Mother Theresa, and 
the sister directress, Sister Aloysia. 

The academy is in a very healthy location and very commodious. It stands within 
its own grounds, which are four acres in extent, and which contain a fine play 
lawn, water fountain, green houses, etc. The building is of brick and four stories 
high. It is 200x80 feet in dimensions, and a wing extends to a depth of 70 feet. 
It is proposed to erect shortly another wing, so as to provide accommodations 
for one hundred more pupils. There are ten spacious class-rooms, a music hall 
for entertainments, etc., and capable of seating five hundred persons, and a 
chapel 50x100 feet in dimensions. The ceiling of this sanctuary is 50 feet high, 
and the edifice, which is finely embellished, contains a splendid organ by 
Jardine and a marble altar which cost $2,000. The chapel, which is one of the 
finest of its kind in the country, has a seating capacity for five hundred. 

All the scholars have separate beds, and can be supplied with private rooms if 
desired. There are now one hundred and fifty pupils. Fifty sisters are engaged 
in the educational work of the establishment. The course of instruction consists 
of three grades, primary, grammar, and graduating. 

The musical department is under the direction of Sister Mary Louis, who bears an 
unequaled reputation throughout the country. Extra studies comprise music, 
instrumental, piano, organ, and harp, vocal music, drawing and painting, plain 
and ornamental needle work, wax and hair work, and modern language. 

One of the pupils of the oil painting, crayon, and water color class received in 
1876 an award from the Queen's County Agricultural Society. Pupils of all 
denominations are received, and while the utmost care is taken in the religions 
instruction of the children of Catholic parents, there is no interference with 
the children of those of a different belief.  

For the sake of good discipline all are required to be present at the public 
exercises. There is a liberal table, the instruction is thorough and practical, 
and the institution is one worthy of every encouragement. 


With Special Thanks to: Cathy Harrison Speciale
Transcribed exclusively for the Brooklyn Genealogical Information Pages: Nancy E. Lutz

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