LE GRAS HALL

Inscription

LE GRAS HALL
OPENED 1876 AS ST. VINCENT’S
FREE SCHOOL. RENAMED LE GRAS
HALL BY 1913. EST. AS SISTERS
OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE
PAUL OF NY ADMIN. CENTER 1971.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2023

Sitting amidst the sprawling College of Mount St. Vincent Campus is the Sisters of Charity of Mount St. Vincent De Paul’s administrative center—better known as Le Gras Hall.

Though now named Le Gras Hall, when the building was first constructed by the Sisters of Charity it was known as St. Vincent’s Free School, which was created to provide an education to students without the means to pay tuition. Construction of the building started in 1875, and classes began in September the following year. When it opened, the number of students was around 100; however, that number quickly grew to 130 students attending St. Vincent’s over the next few years.

According to the 1884 publication, “A Descriptive and Historical Sketch of the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent on-the-Hudson,” written by Mary C. Dodge, when it was first constructed the building consisted of four classrooms, two smaller rooms, a cloak room and a reception area. In addition, there were two “winding” staircases leading to a “grand hall,” a stage and a large lobby. The publication also credits Thomas C. Cornell, a politician, businessman and architect, with designing and building the structure.

The building continued to be used as a school in the subsequent decades, but it also served as a temporary chapel when needed. The mixed-use of the space would continue throughout much of the structure’s existence. At times, the building would serve as a museum, a conference space, a gymnasium, an auditorium and dormitories.

Around the time the College of Mount St. Vincent was established on the property, the building was renamed Le Gras Hall in honor of St. Louise de Marillac Le Gras (1591–1669) who helped found the Daughters of Charity alongside St. Vincen De Paul.

In 1971, the Sisters of Charity moved their administrative offices into the building. As of 2023, they continue to use the space for this purpose.