Saint Michael's Orphanage, Hopewell NJ
When troubled times hit some folks needed this place long
ago.
3 years ago
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21 comments:
My family lived in Hopewell in the 1950s and we all went to school here. They apparently allowed "townies" to go too. This is an amazing sight after half a century.
My mom and her siblings were sent here in 1939. My mom was the youngest, and was here until she graduated highschool in the 1950s. The nuns were apparently brutal by today's standards, but my mom is one of the nicest, kindest human beings you'll ever meet. She is in her 70's now, and has survived a hard life without complaint. The nuns may have been brutal, but they produced good citizens who are appreciative of what they have, and don't whine that the government doesn't give them enough. They are self reliant, honest, and fair. In a few years we will have lost that generation. America is not the country it once was, and her citizens are not of the same stock.
My family and I lived in Hopewell in 1963-64. I was a townie who went to St. Michael's when I was in 5th grade.
There are two sites for St. Michaels Alums. One on Facebook and one on MySpace. Just type in stmichaelshopewell in the search and you'll find it. Sign up and reconnect.
I was a town kid, but since my mom worked there my brother and sisters and I were there before/after school, and practically all summer.
We have lots to share...
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thanks
Diane
My name back in St. Michaels was "Mary" Dittrich, I had three brothers that were there also, from 1951 to 1955. The boys were in and out of St. Michaels since the early 1940's. whenever my mother didn't want to take care of them. We all came out of there damaged. I am inthe process of writing a book and it includes our time spent with these angels from Hell. They either ignored you or abused you. If anyone remembers my brothers, Harvey, Billy (He worked in the milk room,) or walter
let me know I would love hearing from you. Bye for now. Beverly
Hi
I grew up in Hopewell, NJ in the 1950's and remember the orphanage. I always had alot of questions and was very curious about it. I was born in 1950, so no one was there then. I went to the elementary school which was close by the orphanage. I am trying to remember some teacher's names from the elementary school back in the 1950's. I seem to have a memory block and need to know. Does anyone remember? I had Ms Dodson for 1st grade, but do not remember 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade!
My dad told me that he was placed here when he was around 7 years old during the depression. The nuns knocked him around some, so he escaped through a window and snuck out to the road, and thumbed a ride back to Trenton from a truck driver who recognized the family name and got him back home.
My husband and his many siblings were placed in Saint Michaels when childrens services noticed that his Mom couldn't take care of them. They had a lot of chores to do and were in strict surroundings but to him it was such an improvement. He ate everyday and wasn't reduced to wearing rags. When his Mom did come for a rare visit his biggest fear was her taking them home. Due to the fact that he had an older brother he was with the older goup and volunteered to do extra kitchen work. He was paid $ 2.00 a week. He told stories of a wonderful family that took him for Christmas. It was his fondest childhood Christmas memory. They were sent there in 1971 and sent back ome with their Mom just before the place shut down. She went on to have more children, fourteen in total. Today he is a wonderful father and grandfather.
WOW!?! This place was one of wonderment and terror... I recall, as a little boy, getting under Mom's skin as we were driving back from a shopping trip to the Princeton Macy's mall; and her pulling into the orphanage -up to the front door to 'drop me off'!! Man, did I settle right down. The other memory was walking to school Hopewell Elementary -about one mile, and running into Billy W, who, with his bright suspenders was walking to the orphanage for school. Life was simpler back then...
Lastly, was talking to someone several years ago who knew someone that lived there -apparently there was a 'priest' or some religious person, buried there!?! And that -as weird as it sounds -had to kiss the ring on the dead man's finger just before he was interred into the ??wall?? or something weird like that...
Just woundering if anyone remembers Fr mcalinden aka fr mac. Chaplin for couple months early 70's.
I was there from 1943 to 1945. I would love to talk to your mom.
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Yes I was there WHEN you were I like to talk more 609 854
My brothers and my half sister were put in their.we were in their in the 60 no good memories please e mail ne at ptknight@live.com my nane is patricia erbetta
Not sure if i know you do you know the erbetta family?please e mail me at ptknight@live.com
Ho my name us Patricia erbetta my brothers and half sister were put in their if you know knew of us please e nail me at ptknight@live.com
My brothers and my half sister were put in their.we were in their in the 60 no good memories please e mail ne at ptknight@live.com my nane is patricia erbetta
If anyone remembers a Matilda Kerr or Lorraine Kerr, possibly placed in St Michael's in the late 1930s possibly 1940 please let me know. They were the youngest of 6 children. Their 1/2 brother Harry Smith worked as an Assistant Farmer in 1940 at St Michael's.
Please email me at ellogden@gmail.com. Thank you.
I used to live In Hopewell Boro in the late 1990's and still visit often. My family ownes a restaurant there on S.Broad Street Hopewell Valley Inn from 1977 to present. I used to live right up the street from St. Michaels and had many friends that went to school there in the 60's and they told me alot of horror stories about that place. They would get beat severely from the teachers ( Nuns & Brothers,Priests ) I always was curious about this place and lately in the past couple of years I have seen many backhoes digging all over on the property and saw alot of vans and vehicles with GOVT tags on their cars. I have heard many rumors that there were alot of Orphans that were murdered there and buried on the property. Come to find out that Betty Johnson bought the property ( hundreds of acres ) and made it something called open space program meaning that the land cannot be ever developed and only be used for hiking and a sanctuary . Something about the entire place just always gave me the crepes when I drove by it every day. Also The Linbergs lived about 1/4 mile away and heard that his son was used for a human sacrafice.
My mom was at St Michaels in 1950 for sure. I don't know when she was placed there, but I do know in 1951 she was sent to North Jersey. Her name is Rose Rogers, she is 80 now, looking for any information about siblings or birth parents
My mom was there with her sister from the years 1959-1969. She only has nice things to say about the nuns but yet emotionally is a damaged soul. Don't know if it's just fear of reliving bad memories or if they really did treat her with love. She does seem to have scrupulosity. Is completely obsessed with the Catholic Church. Truly obsessed, if you are not Catholic in her mind you are going to hell.
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