A Rebirth

Pioneering Class and Faculty Start the College’s “Second” Chapter

By: Stephen J. Hudik, '89

Saint Peter’s College has faced and overcome numerous adversities and obstacles in carrying out its mission to create men and women in the Ignatian tradition throughout its 133-year history. This year the College celebrates the 75th anniversary of its reopening in 1930, recalling the post World War I era that put its resiliency to the test.

Saint Peter’s College began its “second era” in 1930 at the Chamber of Commerce building at One Newark Avenue in Jersey City.The pioneering class consisted of 87 students.

First incorporated by the State of New Jersey in 1872, the College opened to students in 1878 in downtown Jersey City. The College’s first home was Shalloe Hall at Saint Peter’s Prep at Grand and Warren.

The College remained at that site until closing in 1918, citing a lack of faculty and students as a result of World War I. A core group of Jesuits did not abandon their desire to revive the College, tirelessly lobbying Jesuit Provincial superiors and Newark Archdiocesan leaders for support while rallying alumni in this quest. Their 12-year mission proved successful when Saint Peter’s College announced in 1929 that it would reopen the following year and accept students for the fall term. The College rented temporary quarters at the Chamber of Commerce Building at One Newark Avenue. The long-awaited day finally arrived on September 22, 1930.

The new Saint Peter’s College started this new era in six rented rooms, with six professors and 87 students. College President Joseph S. Dinneen and Dean Father Robert I. Gannon played key roles in guiding the “new” institution in those formative years in an era of great economic stress. It was during this time that the College officially adopted the blue peacock, symbolic of resurrection in the Catholic tradition, as the school’s official emblem.

Father Robert I. Gannon, S.J., with shovel in hand breaks ground on the building bearing his name, Gannon Hall, at the College’s new home on Kennedy Boulevard. Other dignitaries at the ceremony on March 27, 1936 included Rt. Rev. Msgr. John C. McCleary, Chancellor of the Diocese of Newark, Father Joseph S. Dinneen, S.J., and Father James F. McDermott, S.J.

At the first Mass of the Holy Spirit on September 28th at Saint Peter’s Church, Fr. Gannon spoke about Saint Peter’s mission and how it differs from other educational institutions in his sermon. Bishop Thomas V. Walsh of the Newark Archdiocese, who assisted the
Jesuits in their efforts to reopen the school, attended the Mass, along with many alumni.

“We specialize in educating the undergraduate and our whole idea of education is distinctly different and much more simple than contemporary methods,” said Fr. Gannon. “We are medieval enough to think that there is more education in a few subjects thoroughly taught than in a multiplication of courses. We still defend stubbornly the old-time method of using each subject as a means to the great general end, formation of character…Every moment of the day we are seeking the improvement of personality in the best sense of that word, and the orientation of every student towards his true vocation, whatever it may be.”

Charlie Reilly Remembers

Charles Reilly, '34

Although he joined the ranks of Saint Peter’s College pioneering class after one semester, Charlie Reilly ’34 remembers vividly many of
his classmates and professors at the “new” College.

“From the very beginning, Dean Robert Gannon stressed to each of us that a campus is not just physical surroundings but it exists in the hearts of all people, students and faculty alike,” recalled Reilly.

The product of Saint Bridget’s Parish in downtown Jersey City and a graduate of Dickinson High School, Reilly began his collegiate career at age 16 at New York University.The environment and large classes did not suit Reilly who opted to attend Saint Peter’s
for the spring semester.

At the College, Reilly discovered a sense of unity and purpose among fellow students and their professors.

“We were a very tightly knit group,” Reilly said. “We were much attuned to the needs of one another and students who excelled in one area, whether it was in the classics or sciences, would help one another.” Reilly knew many of the legends of the faculty whose names adorn many of the buildings still used by students today on the Kennedy Boulevard campus – Dean of Students Father Robert Gannon, S.J., Fr. Joseph S. Dinneen, S.J., (President of SPC from 1931- 1935), Fr.Thomas Chetwood, Psychology and Theology Professor and Fr. Rush Rankin, Physics Professor. “My classmates and I received an excellent education at Saint Peter’s,” said Reilly.“Most of our families had very little money and we worked hard. My classmates succeeded in whatever fields they pursued after graduation, with many concentrating in medicine, law, the clergy and business.”

Reilly majored in English but took numerous courses in the sciences. He participated in a number of extracurricular activities, including Argus Eyes, the Peacock Pie and the Kilmer Poetry Society. The 1934 Peacock Pie contains brief biographies of all the graduates. Reilly’s entry ends with “…above all we seem to remember him (Reilly) for his choice of esoteric sweaters.” After completing his studies at Saint Peter’s, Reilly applied to and was accepted into medical school but could not afford to go. He also was accepted into Columbia Law School and studied there for a semester.

He then pursued a career in government. Reilly served as the Director of Manpower for the State of New Jersey, overseeing a department of 4,000 people. After retiring at age 70, he wrote film reviews for the Film Comment magazine.

“What is remarkable about the College’s revival and rebirth is that it took place in the throes of the Great Depression,” said College President James N. Loughran, S.J. “It is a testament to the dedication and vision of the College’s second set of founders.”

Jacques Credits Father Gannon

Fred Jacques ’34 inspects construction on the Kennedy (formerly Hudson) Boulevard campus with Father James J. Shanahan, S.J., in the 1950s. Jacques served at the College for more than 40 years as a Chemistry professor and alumni director.

Fred Jacques ’34 joined his classmates at the Chamber of Commerce Building in October, a few weeks after the semester began.The graduate of Saint Aloysius grammar school and Saint Peter’s Prep interviewed with Dean Robert I. Gannon, S.J., who decided to admit him.

That decision led to a more than 40- year relationship between Jacques and Saint Peter’s College as a student, Chemistry professor and alumni director.

In a 1998 interview, Jacques recalled those early years of the College and its humble beginnings. “Despite the difficulties and lack of facilities, Saint Peter’s College grew because of the influence of the Jesuits in the community and among the students,” said Jacques.“The word spread, people came and the class expanded.”

Jacques said Fr. Gannon’s dedication and force of personality guided the College in those formative years.

“Fr. Gannon was responsible for making Saint Peter’s a place of learning,” said Jacques. “He was always trying to raise you up.”

The author wishes to acknowledge SPC archivist Mary Kinahan-Ockay and Father John Wrynn, S.J., for their assistance.