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Chapter 9
St. Bernard’s Seminary
St. Bernard’s continues forming diocesan leaders
Through nearly nine decades of forming future priests and its modern mission of preparing men and women for various church ministries, St. Bernard’s has been revered in diocesan educational circles since the late 19th century.
In 1879, the diocese’s founding bishop, Bernard J. McQuaid, began raising funds to construct a seminary for young men of the Rochester Diocese, which had been formed 11 years earlier. Monies slowly accumulated, and in 1887 Bishop McQuaid purchased a 20- acre site on the north side of Rochester. Situated between Lake Avenue and the Genesee River’s western bank, it was soon to be the home of St. Bernard’s Seminary.
Construction began in 1891, and history was made two years later when St. Bernard’s main building and chapel opened for 39 students and a faculty of eight.
“On Sept. 3, 1893, McQuaid’s dream – which many had thought wildly impractical – came completely true,” the late-Father Robert F. McNamara wrote in his diocesan history, The Diocese of Rochester in America 1868-1993. The former diocesan archivist also penned the history St. Bernard’s Seminary 1893-1968.
Enrollment at St. Bernard’s quickly grew, not only from local seminarians, but also with men hailing from many other dioceses as well. In 1900, the Hall of Philosophy and Science was erected south of the main building. It was followed by the Hall of Theology which opened in 1908 north of the main building.
From its rst class of 39 students,
St. Bernard’s quickly grew, enrolling
not only local seminarians,
but also men from many other dioceses as well.
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