Holy Rosary Institute
On July 9, 1913, Father Keller purchased farm land once owned by the sister of the King of France, from Louis Domengeaux to establish Holy Rosary Institute in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Institute opened September 1913 as an industrial school for African American girls. The Institute became co-ed in 1947. Saint Katherine Drexel supported the Institute in Lafayette by providing a generous financial contribution that assisted with constructing the three story red brick building which became the centerpiece of the campus. Throughout the history of the Institute in Lafayette, Holy Rosary served as a vocational and technical school, a normal high school providing education to commuter and boarding students from all over the world. Staffed primarily by The Sisters of the Holy Family (founded 1842 by Venerable Mother Henriette DeLille), the Priest and Brothers of the Divine Word, Holy Rosary Institute was considered one of the best college preparatory high schools in the nation. The Institute has produced world. renowned scholars and high ranking professionals in many different fields.