IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

In 1903, the arrival in Canada of about100 novices and young brothers from France causes serious difficulties of integration into the young province of Quebec. The Superiors rejoice when they find a house near the border at Plattsburg, USA. About 20 brothers emigrate there and attend English classes at the Universisty. The FIC’s become present in the States.

The American communities will constitute a province only in 1946, when the Canadian region is divided into 5 independent provinces.

Meanwhile, the American province grows: Plattsburg (New-York): Mount Assumption High School, opened in 1903, merges with the Irish school in 1987 and becomes Seton Catholic High School.

Fall River (Massachusetts), opened in 1927 and completely destroyed in a fire in 1968. Later on, the brothers offer their services to the near-by college run by the Jesuit Fathers.

Waterville (Maine) The school starts in 1928.
Biddeford (Maine) The Brothers run a school there from 1929 to 1970.

Alfred (Maine) The Brothers buy a place from the Shakers in 1931 and build the central house and the formation center for the province there.

Louisville (Ohio) A school opens in 1964 and closes down in 1976.

Detroit(Michigan) The Brothers work in the Catholic high school from 1956 to 1970.

Canton (Ohio). In 1951, the provincial sets up La Mennais College at Alfred (Maine) and transfers it to Canton, Ohio, in 1960. The name of the school becomes Walsh College, Walsh being the Bishop’s name. In 1995, the college grows into a university. Walsh University is now run by a layman.

Some people remember a temporary commitment at Knom, Alaska, where two brothers worked at a radio station for some years.

Today the 40 American brothers are present in four communities: Plattsburg, Fall River, Canton, and Alfred, where we find the mother house of the province and a reception center for the diocese.