St Aloysius College beginnings

Cunningham Memorial Chapel,
St Aloysius College Archives

A Place of Shelter,
Faith, and Learning

In 1880, the Sisters of Mercy established their Mother House in Angas Street, Adelaide, led by Mother Evangelista. A chapel and boarding for poor girls and orphans were created, offering training in domestic service. Its success led to St Philomena’s House of Mercy opening in 1884, expanding the Sisters’ mission of education and care.

6 August 1880

St Anthony’s

The Sisters established 2 schools, which were housed in St Francis Xavier’s Hall, next to the Cathedral in Wakefield Street. St Anthony’s for the younger boys and St Angela’s for the girls provided a primary school education for the poor boys and girls of the parish. There were 2 separate playgrounds – one for boys and one for girls.

March 1882

St Angela’s

St Angela’s Select Intermediate School for Girls was established in the upper rooms of St Francis Xavier Hall. Catering to the wealthier Catholic families from suburban Adelaide as well as boarders from country South Australia, the focus was on education in the arts and academics. Both the Select school and the parish school for girls were dedicated to St. Angela. Following the tradition set by Catherine McAuley, the fees from the Select school helped the Sisters to run the primary school for poor children.

1891

First Principal

The first Principal of St Aloysius was appointed, Sr Magdalene (born Julia) Caroll.

1904

McAuley House

Two inheritances gave the Sisters the funds to erect a new building for St Angela’s next to the House of Mercy. This three story building at the northern end of the convent property, was named McAuley House and was the new home of the Select school. This building was later to be called the Dunlevie Building. The poorer children of the parish continued to be educated in the Cathedral Hall

1904

St Aloysius

St Angela’s Select Intermediate School for Girls was renamed ‘St Aloysius College High School and Boarding School’ in honour of St Aloysius, Patron Saint of students. The parish school for girls in the St Francis Xavier Hall continued to be called St Angela’s

1920

Inheritance

Mother Cecilia Cunningham inherited a large fortune from her parents in Argentina. The money was used to purchase three properties and two blocks of land on the eastern side of the Convent. The Barr Smith house in Angas Street was purchased in November and provided additional accommodation for the Sisters, a kitchen and two dining rooms. The rest of the house was used by the Novitiate

1921

Acraman House

1921

Cottages

A number of cottages and small shops were purchased to extend the Angas Street property to Chancery Lane. More properties in Chancery Lane were bought as well as a block on Wakefield Street to extend the College grounds. There was now space for a number of tennis courts