Ursuline Nuns in Galveston

In January 1847 seven nuns of the Ursuline Order, the first order of religious women in Texas, came to Galveston and established a convent and academy. The school opened with 25 students in February 1847, and quickly added more pupils, some of whom boarded.

In addition to educating the youth of the area, the Ursuline nuns ministered to the community through numerous tribulations. During yellow fever epidemics of 1847, 1853, 1858, and 1868, the convent served as a hospital. Both Union and Confederate soldiers were treated by the nuns during the Civil War without regard for the sisters' personal safety.

The convent and academy also provided shelter to the citizens of Galveston when hurricanes struck the area. During a hurricane in 1900 more than 1,000 people found shelter in the Ursuline building, the only structure standing near the Gulf area. The nuns rescued many people, at times risking their own lives.

The nuns set about in purposeful activity following each trial. The Ursuline Academy continued until the 1960s when it became part of the Catholic school system. The sisters staffed the parochial schools. The number of Ursuline nuns dwindled until 1993 when the last sister left the area, signaling the end of an era. (1997).