A large building with centre tower is flanked by tall trees at the corner of an intersection.
St. Joseph’s Convent building looms over Church Street in this photo, c. 1970. 2242-N.

The Sisters of St. Joseph were active in St. Catharines from 1851 and built the convent building both as a residence and a school to meet the needs of Catholic education in the City. The building served as a school for almost 100 years. It was built in 1874, and served as an all-girls high school from 1946-1958.  The school and convent closed in 1970. 

St. Joseph’s Convent was one of the only remaining examples of the Second Empire architectural style in the City when it was demolished in 1973 following a devastating fire.   

With its tall central tower and impressive brickwork, the building watched over one of the most civic corners in the city. 

Go Rhythm Band, Go!

One of the only other photos of the convent and its students in the Museum’s collection features the successful Rhythm Band, pictured on the steps with their trophy.

A group of children stand on the steps for a photograph.
A clipping of the newspaper shows the group with the caption below.

The caption from the St. Catharines Standard reads: “This group of young artists, pupils of St. Joseph’s Convent, scored an unusual success by carrying off 14 medals at the recent Niagara Falls Music Festival. In front of the picture is shown the H.J. Hand silver cup won by the Convent Rhythmic Orchestra for the highest standing in the competition for senior rhythm bands. The medalists are, left to right, front row: Joan Corkery, Bill Sadler, Doreen Sadler, and Paul Garner; Rear row, Frances Corless, Anne Marie Dugas, Colleen Sadler, Audrey Crabtree, and Ardelle Hauman.

There’s More to the Story

Visit the installations in-person at the addresses listed or navigate using the coordinates marked with Purple Pins on the History InSite map or navigate the installation online using the History Pin map.

About History InSite

A permanent, site specific installation, History InSite juxtaposes historical photographs with modern streetscapes by presenting the photo in, or close to, the place which it was taken.

St. Catharines has a rich photographic history and when compared to the changing streetscapes around the City, that history becomes much more meaningful, poignant, and relevant to our modern eyes.

The Downtown series was installed in July 2021. The Port Dalhousie series was installed in May 2022. The Merritton series was installed in May 2023.

History InSite is presented by the St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre.

Graffiti Report

If you spot any graffiti on our purple History InSite signs, please send us a message.