St. John's College (Fordham) founded in The Bronx (1841–1846)

St. John's College, founded in 1841 by Bishop John Hughes, became the basis for Fordham University. The institution was established in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County, before becoming part of The Bronx. It was placed under the care of the Society of Jesus shortly after its opening, evolving into a Jesuit-affiliated university.

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Background and detail

Background. Bishop John Hughes purchased the Rose Hill Manor farm in the village of Fordham in 1839. This site, located in what was then Westchester County, served as the location for St. John's College. The college opened in 1841, initially with a small student body, and was later placed in the care of the Society of Jesus, establishing its Jesuit identity.

Founding. St. John's College was founded in 1841 by John Hughes, the Irish-born coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of New York. It opened at Rose Hill on June 24, 1841, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, with six students. The college received its charter from the New York State Legislature in 1846, marking its formal establishment.

Jesuit Affiliation. Although founded by Bishop Hughes, the college was placed in the care of the Society of Jesus shortly after its opening. The first Jesuits arrived in 1846, about three months after the charter was granted. This affiliation established the institution as a Jesuit school, influencing its curriculum and governance, which remains rooted in Jesuit educational principles.

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