CORNWALL, ON – An important part of the City’s history will come alive September 17th at 10:30 am when the former Cornwall Classical College is honoured with the unveiling of a memorial site as part of the city’s Historical Walk. The plaque unveiling ceremonies near the entrance to St. Lawrence College at the corner of Montreal Rd. will reveal two new historical plaques, designed and built in a partnership between the Alumni, the city, and Le Village BIA.
Those familiar with the College’s history will remember its outstanding contributions to the educational, cultural, spiritual and sports life of the City.
The College’s history dates to 1949, when the Clerics of Saint Viator, a religious order founded in France in 1831, opened the first French Catholic secondary school at 24 Lawrence Ave. Soon, the growing number of students throughout the city and the province enabled the Clerics to build Cornwall Classical College on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
The site they chose was the tip of Windmill Point, which at the time was an island. In 1955, the College officially opened its doors and in the years that followed, the student population grew to 350, including a number of female students in the College’s later years. In addition to offering an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, the College’s curriculum consisted of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, in partnership with the University of Ottawa.
On campus, the College fulfilled its mission of promoting the spiritual, cultural, social and political life of its students. The Clerics thus triggered a strong and lasting impact on the City, fulfilling the cultural and artistic needs of its citizens and transforming Cornwall in many regards.
At College, there was always something to do.. College plays, the theatre, men’s choir, sports, the Winter Carnival and local activities such as parades, contests and French Week. The College also produced some outstanding athletes. In 1964, its football team, the Classics, won the Quebec Intercollegiate Football championship, making headlines across Quebec and Ontario.
Following their years of study at college and university, the majority of students pursued careers in various fields including business, law, engineering, medicine, executive management and education.
Following a revamping of financing in the Ontario school system, the College was forced to close its doors. In September, 1968, the existing St. Lawrence College, created under the new Colleges Program of Applied Arts and Technology, took possession of the land and buildings formerly owned by Cornwall Classical College.
On Saturday the 17th, a brief plaque unveiling ceremony will be held at 10:30 to commemorate the College’s legacy. You’re quite welcome, if you’d like to attend.
