Subseries 01 - Chronicles

7.5 cm of textual records

This subseries contains several historical summaries on the Belle River Mission of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. This series includes a short history on the Belle River Parish from 1883 to 2000. There are the chronicles of St. Joseph’s Convent at Belle River from 1889 to 1974 that include a postcard of St. Jude and St. Simon Church; printed photographs and pictures of paintings of the Sisters in Le Puy, Lyons, and St. Didier, in France; and a St. Jean Baptiste School Graduation program brochure on June 21, 1956. This subseries contains a list of Sisters and Clergy stationed in Belle River from 1889 to 1983. The topics within the chronicles include the foundational history of the Parish of Belle River, the arrival of the Sisters to Belle River, renovations and building extensions to St. Joseph’s Convent and to St. Jude and St. Simon Church, influenza crisis, a fatalistic tornado, the Village of Belle River Council, the Roman Catholic Separate School Board, teachers’ strikes, school open houses, sport events, teacher-parent meetings, musical recitals, and graduation ceremonies. There are also chronicles also document the Sisters’ daily activities as well as religious retreats, conferences, travels, jubilees, and preparation for the centennial celebration. In addition, there is a typed draft of Loose Leafs’ of Belle River 1965 – Some Old, Some New, written by Sybil Little with a focus on the historical buildings during the founding and early history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Belle River from 1868 to 1965. Also included in the draft are printed pictures of buildings, statues, and an aerial photograph of Belle River.