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Galveston College’s Moody Hall began as the second home of St. Mary’s Orphanage. From 1867 to 1967, St. Mary’s Orphanage operated on Galveston Island under the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. In 1874, land was purchased on the beach about three miles west of the original city of Galveston and a two-story framed building was erected that served as the original St. Mary’s Asylum until the devastating 1900 storm that destroyed the building. After the hurricane and during recovery, a New Orphanage site along Avenue Q and 40th was purchased that consisted of wood-frame houses. In 1950, this three-story structure was built with aid from the community chest and catholic charities in the brick-square style of architecture with colonial elements. The new St. Mary’s Orphanage building, still managed by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, continued to offer services of housing, meals and education to orphans and displaced children. In the 1960s, the care of dependent children shifted from orphanages to foster care homes and, in 1967, Bishop Wendelin Nold and the Orphan Association of Galveston decided to close the orphanage. In May 1967, the Galveston College Board of Regents used a Moody Foundation grant to purchase St. Mary’s Orphanage and renovate the facility. In gratitude for the Moody Foundation’s commitment to Galveston College, St. Mary’s Orphanage was renamed Moody Hall. As a continuation of service to youth, Galveston College has maintained this historic structure for the education and benefit of the generations. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 2017 |
