The 1930s
A house on Oswego Lake called “Everglade” was purchased in 1930 to foster a greater outdoor life. A tennis court was built, boats were acquired, and a small chapel was added. For the next two decades, Everglade was the site of many festivities, including graduation parties and a ceremonial torch march that was part of the commencement activities. The lake was used for instruction in swimming, diving, lifesaving, boating, and canoeing.
The
St. Helen’s Hall Junior College opened in 1932 under the
leadership of dean Gertrude Fariss. Its offerings included English,
journalism, drama, play production, pre-library, mathematics,
secretarial skills, and home economics. A new building to house
the junior college was constructed along 13th Ave. north of Montgomery,
and athletic facilities were shared with the high school. In December
1934 a chapel was finished for the junior college, and the following
May the three windows in the reredos, or partition behind the
altar, were dedicated to the memory of Mary Rodney. These windows
– interpretations of the Nativity, Christ teaching in the
temple, and the Sermon on the Mount – are now at St. John
the Baptist parish on the Raleigh Hills campus.
Information for this page was condensed from The First Century, a history of St. Helen's Hall written by Sally Reed Stout.