300 Augusta St
San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

Ursuline Academy, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

The Ursuline community in San Antonio was the second Ursuline community established in the State of Texas. Introduction of this community in 1851 was a signal achievement for the Reverend John Mary Odin, C. M., later the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Texas, in his struggle to reawaken dormant Catholicism in the State. Shortly after their arrival, the Ursuline Sisters opened their school, believed to be the first in San Antonio and the second in Texas established soley for the education of the young girls. All of the major Academy buildings erected during the nineteenth century survive today to form an architectural complex unique to this State. These buildings range from the first Academy building erected in 1851, in plain style but with handsome proportions, to the Priest`s house erected in 1882, one of the best examples in Texas of the late Gothic Revival style of architecture. The Academy Building is known for a wall construction called pise de terre, or rammed earth.

Ursuline Academy, Academy Building, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

This building was the first Academy building erected by the Ursulines after their arrival in San Antonio in 1851. It is the largest known building in Texas constructed of "rammed earth" or pise de terre and one of the few known true pise buildings in the state and possibly the United States. Whether the building may be considered a work of "French" architecture is conjectural. It was erected by a French Bishop for French Ursulines by a French architect and builder and in a French method of construction. Its plainness of style, however, makes it difficult to assess this building as showing significant Old World influences.

Ursuline Academy, Academy Building Addition, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

This building was the first expansion of the Ursuline Academy since its founding in 1851 and is evidence of the growth and immediate success that this institution achieved.

Ursuline Academy, Chapel, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

This building forms a significant part of the Ursuline Academy buildings and is one of the more stylistically noteworthy of the group. Erected at about the same period (1866-1870) as the Dormitory building which adjoins it on the north, the Chapel is an example of local stone construction in the Gothic Revival style.

Ursuline Academy, Dormitory Building, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

The Dormitory building, erected 1866-1870, was constructed during the same building program as the Chapel, and together they represented the new growth and responsibility of the post Civil War era, especially the Dormitory building.

Ursuline Academy, Priest`s House, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

This structure is one of the seven Ursuline Academy buildings surviving today and the most stylistically pretentious of them all. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, it is unusual both for the quality of the stylistic details and for the fact of its late erection in that style, circa 1882. This building is unique in the above respects and has no comparison in this state.

Ursuline Academy, 1872 House, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

This building, a part of the Ursuline Academy complex and one of seven surviving buildings, is a good example of the plain style of residential stone masonry architecture to be found in this area during the third quarter of the 19th century. It is devoid of stylistic details.

Ursuline Academy, Laundry Building, 300 Augusta St San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

This building is one of the minor structures of the Ursuline Academy complex, and its history is unknown. In any event, it appears in some respects to be one of the early buildings and may possibly date from the 1850s.