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Ursuline Academy was a seed sown in 1474 when Angela Merici was born in Desenzano, a small town in northern Italy. Early in her life Angela had a direct indication from the Holy Spirit that she would found, in Brescia, a company of women consecrated to the Lord. Angela established the Ursulines in 1535. It was the first non-cloistered community of women in the history of the church, and the first religious community for women begun by a woman. Inspired by Gospel challenges, Angela and her followers reached out to rich and poor alike with special concern for the development of a strong family life. A true educator, Angela enabled people to reach their full potential and to use their skills in service.
From their foundation in Italy, Ursuline communities were established all over Europe. They came to the "New World" via Canada in 1639. Ursulines established the very first religious community of women in the United States in New Orleans in 1727.
The Ursulines of Brown County were founded by another woman of vision and faith, Julia Chatfield. As an Ursuline of Boulogne-sur-mer, her pioneer spirit enticed her to accept the invitation of Bishop John Purcell to come to the newly formed Cincinnati diocese in 1845. The Ursulines of Bologne-sur-mer and Beaulieu joined forces and sent Julia Chatfield and ten other nuns to St. Martin where the diocese had built a seminary and established a parish. The seminary was being moved back to Cincinnati and the sisters were given the 400 acres of land to be used for educational purposes.
The Ohio Memory project has a great section on the Ursulines. To get
to the Ursulines, click on explore, then contributing institutions, and
then Ursulines. When you click on the pictures, text appears to further
explain them.
Fifty-one years later, in 1896, it was decided, in keeping with the changing times, that a second school should be established in Cincinnati, a day school for students from first through twelfth grade. In 1905, because the original building was already outgrown, the school was moved to Oak and Reading Roads, to be expanded in 1928 to accomodate an ever-increasing student population. In 1963 the decision was made to eliminate the grade school and concentrate on the secondary level. In 1970, space again being a crucial factor, the move was made to the current location in Blue Ash.
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