St. John the Baptist Seminary

Essay "Eulogy of Washington," written by St. John the Baptist seminarian, J.F. O'Neill, 1846

In 1822, Bishop John England founded the Philosophical and Classical Seminary of Charleston.  Classes were held in a building at Vauxhall Gardens, currently the location of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Broad Street. It was opened to boys aged seven years and older with all subjects taught for twenty dollars per quarter. In 1836, Bishop England separated the clerical seminary from the academy, and the Clerical Seminary of St. John the Baptist was formed.  The academy closed in 1837; however, the Seminary of St. John the Baptist remained open until 1851