College of the Holy Cross

Not to be confused with Holy Cross College (Indiana)

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The College of the Holy Cross is an exclusively undergraduate Jesuit college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. It was founded by Benedict Joseph Fenwick, SJ, second Bishop of Boston, after his efforts to found Boston College were thwarted by the city's Protestant civic leaders. Opened as a school for boys under the auspices of the Society of Jesus, it was the first Catholic college in New England. The land was purchased in 1836 by the Rev. James Fitton, and the cornerstone was laid in 1843. The first class graduated in 1849, led by their valedictorian James Augustine Healy. Fenwick Hall, the school's major building, was completely destroyed by fire in 1852 and rebuilt in 1853.

Related Topics:
Jesuit - Worcester, Massachusetts - USA - Benedict Joseph Fenwick, SJ - Bishop - Boston - Boston College - Protestant - Society of Jesus - Catholic - New England - 1836 - James Fitton - 1843 - 1849 - James Augustine Healy - 1852 - 1853

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At first, the college could not obtain a charter from the anti-Catholic Massachusetts state legislature, and the diplomas were signed by the President of Georgetown University, until a charter was finally granted on March 24, 1865. Today, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The college has approximately 2,700 students and is one of the more racially and socioeconomically homogenous of Worcester's universities. The college is extremely selective in respect to admissions and has a very rigorous academic curriculum. It is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Related Topics:
Anti-Catholic - Massachusetts state legislature - Georgetown University - March 24 - 1865 - Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

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