Stella Niagara Education Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stella Niagara Education Park |
|
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Diocese of Buffalo |
| Province | Archdiocese of New York |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Leadership | Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity |
| Year consecrated | 1909 |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Stella Niagara, Lewiston, New York, United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1908 |
| Completed | 1908 or 1909 |
| Construction cost | $300,000 |
| Website | |
| http://www.franciscans-stella-niagara.org/mission.htm | |
Stella Niagara Education Park is a Roman Catholic elementary school, convent, and hospitality center located in the hamlet of Stella Niagara within the town of Lewiston, New York. It was founded in 1908 by members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity.
History
The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity was founded in 1835 in the Netherlands. To assist the German parishes of St. Ann's and St. Michael's in Buffalo, New York, members of the order moved to the United States and opened the first convent in 1874. When a larger house was needed in 1907, the charity found a location near the Niagara River in Lewiston and had a new convent constructed. This building originally operated as co-education school and a boarding school for high school girl known as the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart operated from 1908 to 1970. The elementary school for boys, Stella Niagara Cadet Program, opened in 1935. In 1971, Stella Niagara Education Park opened after the charity obtained a charter from the New York State Board of Regents.
School
The Stella Niagara Education Park school starts at the Montessori preschool level for children three to five years of age. Instruction extends through the eighth grade. The school's student body is approximately 250 students. It has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1. The school focuses on teaching their students mentally, physically, and spiritually. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, not only in school, but also in life. The school's curriculum includes core subjects as well as computer literacy, foreign languages, and art. The school requires children to take regular physical education and encourages students to participate in school athletics. The school has mandatory religion classes. Mass is held at the school on religious holidays.
Hospitality center
Stella Niagara Education Park hosts a hospitality facility named the Center of Renewal. The Center of Renewal offers religious and spiritual counseling, group retreats, and workshops. This center also provides cares for the sisters living in the convent.
