Marguerite d'Youville History & Mission

Our calling to serve the needs of our community began in the 1700’s, with St. Marguerite d’Youville herself. Long known for her resourcefulness and astute business sense, St. Marguerite was chosen to become the administrator of Montreal’s foundering general hospital, which was in financial ruin. The sisters’ fund-raising efforts, which involved sewing for the military and merchant class, and making candles and hosts for the Church, blossomed into a thriving commercial enterprise. They managed a bakery, a brewery, a windmill, and a farm. They rolled tobacco, fabricated and sold building products, and organized excursions for the public. As a result of their efforts, they not only restored the hospital, they expanded it, built a church, and in 1761, founded a home for abandoned children – the first in North America.

In all of these entrepreneurial endeavors, St. Marguerite’s success was driven not by pride or fame, but by a desire to eradicate poverty, alleviate suffering, and build healthy, thriving communities in her own time. This is the spirit of St. Marguerite d’Youville the very same spirit that brought the Grey Nuns in Buffalo in August of 1857, when the economy had not yet recovered from the Panic of 1837, the cholera epidemic had left orphans and widows without basic necessities, and the political climate was unsteady.

Our foundresses, the Grey Nuns, heeded the call to offer education to young women and laid the cornerstone of Holy Angels Academy, now KAB, on August 4th, 1872.

Eventually, the spirit of St. Marguerite d’Youville would inspire the Grey Nuns to build a new wing on Prospect Avenue in 1908 and apply to the State Legislature for college charter. Despite opposition from those that believed women did not belong in higher education, the request was granted and in September 1908, nine young women formed the first freshman class and D’Youville became the first college in WNY to offer baccalaureate degrees to women.

And it is that same spirit that has guided us ever since. From these first graduates to the graduates of today. From the classrooms of yesterday to the spaces of the future. From the new wing on Prospect in 1908, to the new College Center and Marguerite Hall in the 1960’s, to the new School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, and the Athletic Fields in 2014. All the way to this moment today. For it is that same spirit of St. Marguerite d’Youville that inspires us to build our HUB and create a healthy, thriving community, right here in Buffalo.