Incarnate Word Heritage – From a Grade School and High School to a College

As the number of students and Incarnate Word Sisters grew, a new Mother House and Chapel were erected at the turn of the century (1900, 1907). In 1922 a new structure (today’s Administration Building) housed the College and Academy of the Incarnate Word to accommodate all the grades, including higher education. It was a school for girls, many of whom were boarding students. Eventually, as the girls in the lower grades went to parish schools, a new building (1950) became Incarnate Word High School. Later, the twentieth century brought new changes to the then Incarnate Word College. Men were admitted to the graduate programs first, then to undergraduate courses. Lay men and women joined the faculty and filled administrative positions. In 1996, the College became the University of the Incarnate Word with new programs and campuses, including some abroad. Through all this, the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word continues by serving the needs of students and the city, state, national, and world communities.

Sister Margaret Patrice described the recent events and the expansion of the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.