Iconic Buildings and Landmarks of New Britain ~ Mary Immaculate Orphanage (Polish Orphanage of Our Lady of Rozanystok) ~ Convent Heights, Burritt Street ~ 1950. Photo and historical narrative courtesy of “New Britain, Connecticut, 1850-1950.” This venerable building now houses the Prudence Crandall Center, dedicated to helping individuals achieve lives free of domestic violence by providing care, advocacy, support, and education. Additional photos of Mary Immaculate Orphanage may be seen in the comments section of this post. “In the year of 1904 the tragedy caused by a death of a mother of several small children spurred the Rt. Reverend Monsignor Lucien Bojnowski to establish a shelter or an orphanage to care physically, orally and spiritually for motherless children and orphans. Borrowing $900.00, the Rt Rev. Bojnowski rented a building for that purpose at 48 Orange Street, which later served as a home for orphaned boys. The Nuns of the order of the Children of Mary of the Immaculate Conception were put in charge of the children. The home was blessed Aug. 15, 1904. “Two years later a new building costing $15,000, with furnishings, was erected on Gold Street. This building served two purposes, namely: a home for orphaned girls, and a convent for the Nuns. This building was blessed May 30, 1906. “The new, modern and fireproof building to house all the children was built on Burritt Street, Aug 12, 1923, costing $300,000.00. It is a four story brick building, having many bedrooms, dining and recreation halls and a beautiful chapel. Over 2000 children received care and shelter there throughout its existence. Children of all races, creeds and religions were and are accepted.” Written in 1950.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:16:13 +0000