John van Gurp

Quinpool Road in 1899, with the Monastery of the Good Shepherd, St. Ann's College and the Catholic orphanage

In 1893, Archbishop Cornelius O’Brien acquired 15 acres (6 hectares) of land on Quinpool Road, five of which were used for the building of Holy Heart Seminary to be run by the Eudist Fathers. The seminary occupied that part of Quinpool from Chebucto (Monastery Lane) to Vernon Street, and was a familiar landmark from its opening in 1895 until it closed in 1970 and the property was sold. The buildings were razed and the Quinpool Center was built in their place.

The remaining 10 acres (4 hectares) acquired by Archbishop O’Brien between Windsor Street, Quinpool Road and the seminary was used for the new campus of St. Mary’s College in 1903 and remained at that site until 1951, when it moved to its present site on Robie Street.  St. Patrick’s High School and St. Vincent’s Guest House were then built on formerly occupied by the college.

(This article relies heavily on a section by Cyril Burne in Halifax Street Names, An Illustrated Guide edited by Shelagh MacKenzie)