BERMUDA - On July 12, 2000, papers were signed to transfer the ownership of Woodmont Nursery and its adjacent land to Mount Saint Agnes Academy. The dream of owning the entire Woodmont property dates back to 1957 and the desire for a playing field goes back even further in time. On August 26 we became the new owners of Woodmont Nursery and rejoiced at the thought of working with children beginning at a very young age through their young adulthood. The field will take a bit longer to become a reality as the land needs to be cleared and excavated, but the wheels have begun to turn in this regard.
With this acquisition Mount Saint Agnes now owns the entire block bordered by Cedar Avenue, Elliott Street, Washington Lane and Dundonald Street. During the negotiations the sisters prayed to Saint Joseph, just as they had done 43 years earlier, that the transaction would happen. During the days leading up to July 12, a vigil light burned in front of the statue of Saint Joseph in the Chapel at Caritas. This statue of Saint Joseph is the very one that accompanied the Sisters 110 plus years ago when the first four sisters came to Bermuda. In pondering landmark decisions in our long and successful history, this one goes hand in hand with the one made in 1957 which I now describe from material taken from the provincial archives of the Sisters of Charity.
In November, 1957 S. Clarissa, the Provincial of the Sisters of Charity, expressed concern about the overcrowded conditions of the classrooms. "If only we could find some property near to expand and relieve the situation!" Sister Jean de Chantal spoke up and described the beautiful "Woodmont" estate, just on the other side of the Church and owned by the three Cooper brothers, and which was valued a few years ago at forty thousand pounds. The Sisters felt that this was far beyond their means. However, Sister Jean continued that the main house could easily accommodate six classes with other classes in the small cottages and garage or they could be used as a source of rent. Sister Clarissa's eyes grew bright and sparkled with enthusiasm. In her discussion with Bishop Dealer, he suggested that Mr. Lawrence Gutteridge investigate the possibility and in addition the Bishop promised a contribution of 10,000 pounds. Mr. Gutteridge told the Sisters that he had learned that one of the Cooper brothers needed cash and that the other two were willing to sell. The property, to the Sisters' chagrin, was valued at 60,000 pounds. Mr. Gutteridge also told the Sisters that they had to act swiftly as there was another person who very much wanted to buy the property and that there were others who would not want the Sisters to have it. Mr. Gutteridge acted as the ghost negotiator. It was explained to him that the Mother General's permission was needed and during the days while awaiting the response the Sisters beseeched Saint Joseph that if it be God's will, the deal would go through. Finally the telegram granting the permission was received and there was much joy and gratitude. The deal was signed, sealed and handed to Mr. Gutteridge with March 31, 1958, set as the date for the first payment of thirty thousand pounds. Mr. Gutteridge now revealed the client's name, "The Sisters, Mount Saint Agnes." The Cooper brothers, Harold and Dudley, seemed pleased, and Walter, who was in Oklahoma, was also happy. Lawrence's insight and directions regarding payment freed the Sisters from worry. Thus, it was that the school expanded to Woodmont's main estate, the site of the present Mount Saint Agnes. During the subsequent years many a Sister dropped a medal on the adjacent land with the prayer that it, too, would one day be ours and now 43 years later, it is!
Much work was done on the nursery prior to its opening for this new school year. On September 13 a bright and shining school was ready to welcome its little student body, 71 of them. On October 15 our Bishop Robert blessed the nursery and we had an open house. We now eagerly await the transformation of the jungle beside it into the long awaited playing field.
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