St. Cecilia's Academy of Music

In 1894, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes purchased property at 70 E. Merrill Street for $1000 as a convent for their sisters who were teaching at St. Mary’s School across the street. By 1901, the house was deemed inadequate and demolished. Put up in its place was a new convent that would also house St. Cecilia’s Academy of Music. The building soon became known by that name.

With the influx of Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, stringed instruments such as the mandolin and guitar were gaining in popularity. Young women were keen to learn how to play and the music school filled that need.

The three-story brick building was designed by A.D. Werner and constructed for $8553. It is unclear how long St. Cecilia’s operated as a music school, but the sisters used the building until 1955, when a new convent was built on Amory Street. The St. Cecilia’s building was sold and renovated for use as apartments.