ST. VINCENT'S ORPHANAGE, HOME FOR BOYS
HISTORY OF ST. VINCENT'S HOME FOR BOYS 1931-2003
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1893 - original orphanage built on the grounds of St. Andrew's
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A group of six Sisters of Charity with Sister Mary Vincent Hardy in charge ran the orphanage. The same group of Sisters also ran St. Andrew's Elementary and High Schools.
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The Sisters lived in the original orphanage for thirty-eight years while caring for a total of 379 boys.
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1931 December 11 the Sisters and boys moved into their new home - St. Vincent's Home for Boys.
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Both St. Andrew's High School and St. Vincent's Home for Boys were designed by A. Byron Williams of Newport News.
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The construction cost of the new orphanage was around $50,000
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St. Vincent's housed 48 boys.
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The sleeping arrangements broke the 48 boys into two groups of 24 and the dining arrangements broke the boys into smaller groups of six or eight.
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1975 - St. Vincent's Home for Boys closed and The Achievement Center was established. The Achievement Center was an independent school offering special education programs.
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2003- The Achievement Center moved to a new location in Roanoke County.
ORIGINAL CATHOLIC VIRGINIAN NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT ST. VINCENT'S
The New Saint Vincent's at Roanoke by Thomas E. Mitchell - February, 1932
Roanoke Orphanage and High School Dedicated by the Bishop - c. 1930
NEW CONSTRUCTION ON OUR HILL
St. Andrew’s Church and Roanoke Catholic School are jointly undertaking a project that will add approximately 60 much needed parking spaces in a new paved lot on our Hill. The first stage of this project is the demolition of the building which formerly housed the St. Vincent’s Home and later the Achievement Center. Architectural features from the building are being saved for use in a memorial for those who have ties to the building, as well as to honor the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth for their ministry at that location and throughout the Roanoke Valley. The target date for completion of the entire project is before the start of the school year. For safety reasons, please remain clear of the building and the work site during the construction period. Effective immediately, the building is strictly off limits to all unauthorized persons. Please be patient as temporary traffic and parking patterns may be required until the project is complete.