St. Leonard's

Tony: 17th Dec 2009 - 04:22 GMT

I went here in the 60s and remember Wilkinson and Frank Mohoney.
They were OK but some of those nuns were out of their minds. Those nuns beat and abused students wile Wilkinson did nothing. As a matter of fact Wilkinson and people at Rockville Center hid then married off some of those nuns when the cops came around.
Sister Georgette was a violent mental case
The school and church closed because all the people in charge running it were crazy.

I did sneak up to see that pipe organ it was amazing and the only fond memory spending 4 years in that asylum

Tony: 17th Dec 2009 - 04:34 GMT

The school is still there looks exactly the same as it did in 1969 however its covered in black bars, steel and locks

Gary B.: 17th Dec 2009 - 20:27 GMT

I agree with ya Tony, the nuns were total psycho's. But the church was amazing...I went to St. Francis after they closed St. Leonards down, and it wasn't as bad but also rough when it came to discipline. Didn't know about about marrying off the nuns though... kinda funny actually.

upfromflames: 17th Dec 2009 - 22:18 GMT

I cant thank you enough for posting these photos. I have only very old photos of it, so its important to see it at that point--before it was ripped down to make way for mixed income housing--St. Leonard Scalabrini Houses.

Cathy: 18th Dec 2009 - 03:45 GMT

Wow, seeing those photos is a real treat. I went to St. Leonard's in the 60s, too. While the nuns were too strict, I wouldn't exactly call them crazy. But the meanest of all was the principal. My knees would shake at the thought of being sent to her office, which I once was. However, Sister Claudia took pity on me when I cried hysterically (I was crying for my life) & gave me a reprieve. Ah, the good ol' days.

Tony: 18th Dec 2009 - 08:52 GMT

There was a stretcher in that principals office Cathy.
What year were you in 3rd grade ?
Yikes Those nuns were beating the girls too...this I didnt know.
There were many incidents I will tell you my last
I wouldn't cry so Claudia hit me in the face with a wooden stick. I pushed my way out of her office, down the steps & ran home and told my grandfather.
(I had a black starting eye by then)
He ran up there and gave them hell, it was my last day of catholic school.

BTW my mother (hers names Mary L) taught afterschool religious instruction and earned a 3rd grade teaching position in that asylum around 1968-69.
The nuns & principal tortured her as well. I remembered they would come into her classroom with this "Super Big Cheese Nun" plop down in the back and stair her down.

When they going after me hard she had no choice but to quit.
Its believed those German Dominican nuns hated the Italians that were dominating the area by the 1960
It was BAD REAL BAD.
The only normal nun IMO was Sister Melonie I think she bailed and got married.
-my real name is Joe BTW

Cathy: 18th Dec 2009 - 18:55 GMT

Joe/Tony,

I'm shocked; well, not exactly. Sr. Claudia hitting you in the face; especially with a wooden stick AND all because you wouldn't cry is horrible. She was always one of the nuns with whom I was hot & cold. She was okay some days but others . . . I had her in 3, 5th & 6th & she was the only nun who hit me. I had Sr. Edward John in 2nd grade & she was an angel. But check this out, I know of one nun (not sure of her name but I think it was Bernadette) who wound up getting married but no children. I'm pretty sure I had her in 1st grade ('63) & she was neither cruel nor kind; which, for that school, was pretty good.

Kudos to your grandfather for putting them in their place. He did the right thing. I never really told my parents about the violence till years later, when I moved out to Long Island. We just didn't tell our parents stuff back then. My first day of public school felt like I was on another planet. They even called me "Cathy" which was forbidden in St. Leonard's.

Well, we survived. I've still got some issues but overall, I'm the stronger for it. I left in Feb of '69 in 6th grade.

I'm thinking about the Italian thing . . . I'm Italian & I'm just wondering if maybe you're on to something. Hmmmmm

cat

Anon: 18th Dec 2009 - 19:09 GMT

German and Italian? Just imagine what they'd think of the Puerto Ricans and Dominicans that would make up the huge majority of their classes today??

Peter: 18th Dec 2009 - 19:42 GMT

yep, that bodega is still there on the southwest corner of wilson and jefferson... but the rest of that block looks so much different now...

thanks for these photos, for sure.

Joe: 18th Dec 2009 - 22:04 GMT

Anon--At he time Puerto Ricans and Dominicans couldnt get into the school no matter what.
I'm gonna tell you guys a story:
I'm warning here this is a really bad one

There was black kid 'Little George" he was the nicest guy.
He started having strange problems and the nuns would call him a clown an repeatedly smash his head against the blackboard--Bang -Bang -Bang leaving scalp oil marks on the board. I HAD IT one day and pulled George away from Sr.Georgette beating him in the hallway.
(that relates to the above post where I got sent to the princapals where Claudia tried to "break me" by hitting me in the face with something like a 1X2 wrapped in black tape )

On day in my mothers classroom (3rd grade) little George started screaming "My eyes - My Eyes" My mom wouldn't let the nuns near near him and called for an ambulance. Well-- it turned out George had a brain tumor.

Some 2 weeks later Local kids and Georges family had to ring all the doorbells on George street to find my mother and tell her George died, the nuns didn't say a peep at school.
--It was as if the guy didnt exist.
I remember this like it was yesterday, My Grandfather I were watching the Met's win the World series (1968 ?) feet from the door.
Countless non German kids must have been given ADD, assorted learning and social disorders at that school from having to be on the defensive from being attacked all day long

Cathy: Apparently the nuns beat the boys in front of the classroom or hallway, apparently the girls were beaten behind closed doors in the principals office out of view.
Public school was like being on another planet--more then another planet.
Public Schools you could talk to girls.
Science class was real interesting ! Lightbulbs, battery's, test tubes, Astronomy, Chemistry

-Joe

Cathy: 19th Dec 2009 - 20:45 GMT

Joe,

Reading about George has left me astonished. The logical conclusion one would draw from your account is that the nuns -- if not directly, but certainly in a contributatory manner -- killed that poor boy. That's more than contemptible. How could that have been allowed to take place? Was it because most of us DIDN'T tell our parents of the brutality? And being cognizant of this, the nuns had free reign without fear of reprisal? I don't know but I'm disgusted. Do you remember George's last name?

Does your mother ever talk about it?

cat

Joe: 20th Dec 2009 - 22:51 GMT

We DIDN'T tell our parents of the brutality and all the cap because the Nuns told us WE were wrong, in shame and were committing bad sins.
We thought our parents we be ashamed of us and we would get in worse trouble
At the time we were brought up to respect the church.
Interesting fact my Grandfather and most the Italians from the "old country" never trusted them and only went to church on weddings and funerals. I'm sure you noticed this

George's last name?
I asked my mom: She says there is an old bag in the basement closet she's never went near since 1970 some names and stuff should be in it

Cathy: 21st Dec 2009 - 00:52 GMT

Joe,

You are so right. We really were so innocent & impressionable. Okay, so maybe we misbehaved a little, but I swear, the worst thing I remember doing is talking during class. And for that I was lifted out of my seat by my uniform, thrown into the hallway, and banished to the principal’s office. I was very skinny, so it was no great feat of strength by Sister Claudia, believe me. She tossed me like a basketball.

Then I remember another time when I brought this cool gold-tinted metal ruler to school that my father gave me. When it dropped it made a tinny sound. Well, needless to say I dropped it a couple of times & she said, “Catherine, that’s it.” She had that fury in her eyes & told the whole class to line up & for me to bring the ruler to her. We had to hold our knuckles out for a pretty hefty whack. Of course, she reserved her most forceful strike for me, which I felt I deserved. But I couldn’t believe she hit the whole class. It was unnecessarily cruel, as they didn’t do a thing. Yeah, she didn’t hold back when she felt the need to punish.

There were other incidents but I just have to mention this one, as it didn’t involve hitting. If you remember, we had lavatory times. It was kind of a break for us, so, we didn’t exactly rush back to class. One day I was the last to leave the lavatory. She was already gunning for me. I guess I got on her nerves. She greeted me with a suspiciously broad smile, as I entered the classroom. She then said, “Catherine, since you seemed to take so much time in the lavatory today, you are not permitted to use it again. Ever.” I’m telling you, I can’t make this stuff up. I was in the third grade & for weeks I’d run home. No, I’d SPRINT home. Holding your urine for all those hours was no easy feat. One day, I just didn’t make it. I rang the bell for my mom to buzz me in & as I waited the 10 seconds or so, just couldn’t hold it in. You could imagine my shame & fear explaining to my mom that at almost 9 years old, I had an accident. I had to come clean with her. She only yelled at me for NOT telling her & then she phoned the school. Sister Claudia was forced to reinstate my lavatory privileges. But I went a good 2-3 weeks having to hold it for the entire school day. Unpleasant & distracting, to say the least.

You’re also on the money about our Italian grandparents. I never realized it till you said it. They had that innate intelligence. Our parents didn’t know better. They felt they were giving us an advantage with parochial education. And I won’t lie, I did learn; I was even an honor student. But you know what? I’d go to school with butterflies in my stomach. It wasn’t paranoia. Nosiree, it was well-founded fear. But you already know that.

cat

Anon: 21st Dec 2009 - 06:34 GMT

Reading this is making me sick. At St.John prep I was let to believe this stuff was an urban legend created by the movie industry. The Catholic Church needs to let people marry like they did originally. Thats why those nuns went nuts.... from frustration.

Another Anonymous (different from above): 21st Dec 2009 - 17:02 GMT

I had identical experiences, with some of the same people named. I will not name names or get into details here, as I feel there's no need, but let me say that anyone who thinks that the endless physical and psychological abuse that happened at St. Leonard's is the stuff of "urban legend", you are sadly mistaken. I experienced it first-hand, and it has adversely affected me all the days of my life.

I am really glad to hear other classmates speaking out here. There must me hundreds if not thousands of us out here. Some of us suffered unspeakable, sickening things there.

It is time for us to speak up.

Cathy: 21st Dec 2009 - 20:55 GMT

Anon/Anonymous,

Urban legend is certainly not the case regarding my experience at St. Leonard’s. I didn’t set out to relate these incidents; however, there’s something cathartic about doing so. I have to thank Joe for that. Hey, I’m a well-adjusted adult. But this is more in spite of those nuns, rather than because of them.

Anonymous: Yes, there IS no need to go into details, but it can provide some respite. I hope the adverse effects from which you suffer can somehow be diminished in knowing that it wasn’t anything about you specifically, but merely due to your being a student at that school.

cat

Joe: 21st Dec 2009 - 22:25 GMT

Anonymous and the 1000's of others

Dont let those abominable bastards hinder the rest of your life. You did nothing wrong. This thread is PROOF !
Thats the only thing that counts now.

It took me till age 25-30 to realize this (and that was to long)

The good side is because I couldn't take a regular job behind a desk, have a boss or office (because of these savages) i did something else.
I simply became an a rock musician and actor, I had lots of fun and made $$. I even lived in Hollywood off Muholland and Outpost
These days I live in in Plandome and Southold servicing marine electronics during summer.
To this day I refuse to wear a collard shirt, or any cloth form of uniform
(with exception of a my Red primp daddy suit with my local band on Halloween)
We play R&B 70's stuff around Long Island and Queens

I never did marry, Got sacked 2X since I refused to go through the all the B.S with the church. I haven't been to a mass since 1976 and remember nothing about religion.
No kids...Id rather just visit others from what I see today anyway.

-Joe :)

Theresa T.: 22nd Dec 2009 - 00:01 GMT

I came here with this comment because a friend of mine, who posted above, told me about this page and what was going on here. I am not a regular on this web-page, so forgive my intrusion.

I came to this page to tell you, the world, about my experiences with Sister Georgette. She took me into a private vestry room on more than one occasion, had me strip and did unspeakable things to me. More than 40 years later, I still bear scars across my chest and belly and private area from where she beat me, switched me, pounded me with her ring and from where she forced objects against (and into) me.

I told my mother. Looking back, I am proud of my mum that she took it to Wilkinson and mentioned it. However, what I am NOT proud of is how Wilkinson explained to her that it was the "Way of God" and intimidated her, for whatever reason, into thinking that I had done something to earn such physical and mental abuse. I was 9 years old, for God's sake. My mother was a very ignorant, overly religious woman. I never was religious strictly because of what was done to me, to my mind, body and soul at this house of horrors, may the record show that this place was pure evil. The greatest blessing God Himself ever gave to Bushwick was absolutely wiping this den of abuse from the face of Brooklyn.

These are things I've never even told my husband of over 20 years. Cathartic indeed, Cathy. My head hs been pounding all day since first seeing this series of comments. I didn't even know what to say or think having stuffed memories of this abuse for so long. But I knew I had to say something and now I have. Finally. An irreversible lifetime later.

And I had to say something. I simply had to. Here. I know some of you others. I know what happened. I hope that others will be willing to come forward and tell their stories so that the world will know. Not for any reason, just so that they will know and hoping this sort of thing doesn't ever have to happen any more to such wonderfully happy, innocent boys and girls by such evil demons working under the oversight of the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.

Cathy: 22nd Dec 2009 - 02:05 GMT

Theresa,

I can’t tell you how revolted I was after reading your post. My God, the horrors you endured. My heart aches for that young girl. And it aches for you now. There’s no doubt about it: Sister Georgette was beyond wicked. I hope she’s still alive & reading this. My trials seem marginal compared to what you went through. I truly hope that sharing it has somehow lessened the consequences of this unimaginable nightmare.

Theresa, you’ve done a brave thing. And to think I was hesitant to tell of my lavatory incident. As for being an “irreversible lifetime later” I disagree. Okay, so we can’t slip into a time machine & confront these nuns, but we CAN set the record straight. Each person who reads this is now privy to the atrocities. And those people will share it with others. All is not in vain.

I’m reeling from all this. From your experience, from the others’, from George’s.

We all deal differently with our past.

Joe’s managed to avert anything remotely related to Catholic school: uniforms; authoritative figures; and even, sadly, religion. But it appears he’s living a full, satisfying life.

While Anonymous still suffers from adverse effects every day -- maybe, just maybe -- this dialogue can provide a springboard from which to heal.

Some victims will never discuss it; instead pushing it deeper into a dark place, as if to deny its very existence. That’s what you did. But it worked to some degree for awhile. Who am I to judge how to best handle those dreadful memories? I can only do what works for me. And what exactly IS that? Well, for one, I acknowledge it. I consider that while some of these perpetrators may have been evil; others were just sheep. They merely followed orders, even when their hearts told them it was wrong. They were cowards. I forgive them for what they did to me. I don’t forgive them for what they’ve done to the rest of you. Not you. Not Joe. Not George. Not any other victim.

How I differ from you, Joe & probably many of the others is that I have been able to maintain a very strong belief in God. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t. I don’t attend church much any more, but I did have various stretches when I did. I don’t rule out that I will again attend periodically, if not regularly. I’ve never blamed God for what occurred. In fact, I thank Him each & every day for my faith because frankly, I couldn’t imagine not having it. It shores me up & keeps me strong & always optimistic. I hope this doesn’t offend any of you but I will pray for you every day. We are kindred spirits.

cat

Cathy: 22nd Dec 2009 - 03:04 GMT

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” Maya Angelou

anon (pool-74-101-187-160.nycmny.fios.verizon.net): 23rd Dec 2009 - 05:48 GMT

Whoa ---another thread (with more photos)on this house of horrors here
Content Warning !
http://bushwickbk.com/forum/index.php?board=38;action=display;threadid=19113

Gary B.: 30th Dec 2009 - 16:07 GMT

Ihave to say that I went to school at St. Leonards, and I even though I did get slapped out of my chair once in a while, I knew there was a lot more going on. I would have to say I went there from 1972-75 or something. Because I started 4th grade at St Francis in 1976. But I was in Miss. Jones' class and one day (I forgot why), she was coming at me with a yardstick and I held her and that drunk ass Sister Marilyn at bay in the classroom with a pointy compass!!! They weren't getting me. I got taken down by Mr. Lavanco, I think but I made a run for it out of the school. They never messed with me after that. I thonk I may have some class pictures so I will post them soon and let youz see if you recignize anyone.

However, I was the lead altar boy in the church for many years, and don't really have any bad things to say about Father Wilkinson or Mahoney. They treated me fine. I am full blooded Puerto Rican, but have I have a German last name. Brugman. They both let me run amuck about the church. I had the spare keys to the church and would explore everywhere. The boiiler room in this place was MASSIVE!!! it also had a room where there were dozens of HUGE ols statues of Christ and other saints that had been there for decades according to the amount of dirt on them. Everywhere you looked in this chhurch there was something new to see. In the back, where the candles were, if you looked underneath the candles all the way to the wall, there was an sculpture, or an engraving in the wall of these people burning in hell and reaching up in agony to the angels that were floating above them pouring water on them. No one can deny, this was an amazing stucture. The school, that was another story, that was a house of horror. But this church is where I first got close to God, and I loved it. I borrowed dome pictures from another one of Pete's sites... hope tou dont mind.
[img:37585]
[img:37586]
[img:37587]
If I did this right, the last pic shows just how amazing this church was. I hate to think of the things that went on inside of it while it was locked down for so many decades.
Please continue posting.

~GARY B.

Gary B.: 30th Dec 2009 - 16:10 GMT

Lets try this again...

Cathy: 30th Dec 2009 - 19:06 GMT

Gary,

Thanks for your perspective, as well as the photos. Yours was a curious experience. You showed those crazies, alright. But realize, this was anywhere from 3 to 9 years after the rest of us (who posted) were violated. I believe there was somewhat of a mellowing of discipline; perhaps due to the reporting of these cruel offenses. I mean, Theresa’s mother, Joe’s grandfather & my mother couldn’t have been the only ones to speak out in defense of the students. So, even though their (the evil ones) actions went largely unpunished, I guess collectively, those reports had some effect.

I relished the recounting of your alter boy days. I, too, loved that church. It instilled such intense emotion in me. I had both passion and reverence for it. It was absolutely beautiful. Despite the way we were treated in school, that church held much spirituality for me. Your description of the hidden engravings & undisplayed statues only underscores the religious ambiance.

Gary, you, like I, have been able to separate my souls from what the nuns engendered. We are very lucky in that we have God. I wish this was true for the others.

Hey, I’d love to see any other pics of St. Leonard’s, including class pics. It was such an impressionable period of our lives. Besides, I’m a nostalgia nut.

cat

Joe: 3rd Jan 2010 - 07:00 GMT

Gary do you know what was up in those little dormer windows in the roof. I always wondered if they were dummies with stained glass, rooms, storage, simple secret service tunnel or catwalk up there.
The highest I could sneak up was this staircase to the side the pipe organ (found a little table, chair whiskey bottle).
I remember the huge basement, where bazaars were held, large red painted belt driven fans in the windows. I think it had a large stage like many of the Bushwick theaters of the time.

Those old statues may have been left over from when it was a German church ages ago according to my mom

Vickie: 22nd Jan 2010 - 17:05 GMT

I lived on Jefferson St in the 60's.
The same block as St. Leonards. I remember Father (twinkle toes Mahoney)> Always thought he was gay. Did not attend ST Leonards school. Children of divorced parents were't allowed. Most of my friend attended ST L. I always felt left out. I guess is was a blessing. Went to PS 145 and JHS 111. Trying to hook up with old friends from the neighborhood.

Vickie: 23rd Jan 2010 - 20:06 GMT

I had a friend Iris on George or maybe your thinking of Angie, and Lucille who lived on Melrose. I have an older brother Dominick. Does that ring a bell. you can email me at vickie.calagna@verizon.net. A bunch of us are planning a reunion on March 20th. Maybe you can make it.

Marlene Caratelli: 30th Mar 2010 - 16:51 GMT

I went to the school from 1957-1965. Most of the nuns were violent.Father Ernie was the pastor.The church was so huge and was always cold and dark.When I graduated I refused to go to catholic high school.I didn't even marry in a catholic church.My experience was frightening there.

CHARLES GIANNONE: 13th Apr 2010 - 14:51 GMT

WOW SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THIS TORTURE AT ST. LEONARDS. i TOO WENT TO SCHOOLS LIKE PS 53 AND 145 AND 111 AND I NEVER WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL EVEN THOUGH I DID GO TO RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTIONS EVERY WEDNESDAY WE'D LEAVE PS 145 EARLY TO GO TO STL LEONARDS AND YES I HAD MY HEAD BANGED AGAINST THE HALLWAY WALL BY ONE OF THE NUNS WHEN SHE CAUGHT ME TALKING IN THE HALLWAY. BUT THAT WAS IT. I LEARNED FROM THAT NOT TO TALK. LOTS OF MY FRIENDS WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND I REMEMEBER THE MAROON TIES THAT THE BOYS USED TO WEAR. ONE TIME I FOUND TWENTY CENTS ON THE SIDE WALK ON WILSON AVENUE BETWWEEN JEFFERSON STREET AND MELROSE STREET WHERE I GREW UP. I PROMPTLY TOOK THE MONEY TO FATHER ERNIE AND TOLD HIM THAT I FOUND THIS MONEY. I FIGURED THAT SOMEONE MAY GO TO HIM TO CLAIM IT. SO HE GAVE ME HALF OF IT AND KEPT THE OTHER HALF AND SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT "MY SON YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD THING".
yES, ST. LEONARDS WAS MY PARISH. I REMEMBER VIVIDLY THE WOODEN KNEEL RESETS WITH NO CUSHIONS HURT MY YOUNG KNEES BUT I KNELT ANYWAY. I AM ITALIAN AMERICAN BORN IN SICILY AND LIVED ON MELROSE STREET TIL I WAS TEN YEARS OLD. IM SORT O GLAD I DIDNT ATTEND ST LEONARDS SCHOOL. WE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THE STUDENTS THAT ATTENDED THERE WERE SNOBBISH. THEY USED TO BRAG ABOUT HOLIDAYS THEY USED TO HAVE NO SCHOOL WHILE WE HAD TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL. BUT NOW THAT IM HEARING ABOUT ALL THIS ABUSE GOING ON THERE, I FEEL SORT OF SORRY FOR YOU GUYS.

Angelo D: 18th Apr 2010 - 06:07 GMT

The people that were in charge of this churgh were all nomad crazy, the people in charge of the school (mostly angry fustrated nuns) were even worse.
The Catholic church should let priests and nuns marry again like they did in the past and end this insanety. No child shoud have to go through what happened behind those walls.
Our parents thaught they were doing a good thing, I learned NOTHING BUT HATE thanks to these mother**krs. All the storys above,the beatings, making kids pee there pants are true.
The catholic church can kiss my a** !

To "Charles" be glad you didnt go to this hellhole, the kids werent snobish. The nuns did such a piece of work on all those kids minds they were scaired to death to look or talk to anybody.

Maria: 24th Apr 2010 - 04:34 GMT

How terrible it must have been for all those innocent little children to be subjected to such horrible treatment at the hands of those psycho nuns. What order did they belong to, anyway? I attended St. Joseph's School a few blocks away on Wilson & Suydam for 2 years (and know quite a few people who attended for the full 8 years) and they & I have nothing but pleasant memories of sweet, kind nuns who cared about us. I remember once, when I was 5 years old and had an "accident", Mother Hedwig, the principal, held me in her arms and told me not to cry, everything would be fine. They were Dominican nuns (Order of St. Dominic).
I only hope that all of you who had those terrible experiences were able to somehow deal with the emotional (and physical) scars. The one thing I am certain of is, that from those experiences you never again accepted authority without question. I did attend St. Matthias school (in Ridgewood) for 5 years and I remember the 8th grade nuns would smack some of the boys around, but not the girls. That stuff would NEVER happen today. You all have my sincerest sympathy for what you went through.

Joe: 18th May 2010 - 14:06 GMT

What order were the nuns?
After this hell hole I had nothing to do with religion
The ones with the long hats atop the cardboard tubes, --Dominicans ? Some of the older worse crazys also also had something to do with some operation in Ridgewood near Catalpa and Fresh Pond road. (By the triangle and the old German school)

Ann: 15th Jun 2010 - 02:46 GMT

I think it is a shame what happened to St. Leonard's Church. It was a beautiful church. I wanted to show my son where I grew up and took a drive down Jefferson Street. That was a life changing moment. Boy, have things changed. I didn't even recognize anything about it. I had a wonderful experience growing up there and attending St. Leonard's. Time goes by too fast.

BILLY.C : 20th Jun 2010 - 06:40 GMT

I had lived on Jefferson St, in the 50's 60's 70's. I went to St Leonard's church on Sunday's. My friends the twins went to St Leonard's school, the nuns were the victims; the twins drove them crazy. I had great time playing basketball for St Leonard's church. To bad the church is gone.

Joe: 7th Aug 2010 - 10:53 GMT

Lots of peeple hurt here.
We cant change the past but we can close it. Hows a private ceramony (us) followed by some small party at a certain location ?
Thr bastards that be are all dead by now be WE ARE NOT--

Carm: 9th Aug 2010 - 22:28 GMT

I attended St. Leonards from 1961 - 1963. Father Ernie was the pastor, and I recall Sister Michael Bernadette as my Grade one teacher, and Sister Edward John was my grade 2 teacher. I don't recall the Principal's name, though I should as I was very intimidated by her. I remember one incident when she grabbed my arm, and pulled me out of line because I did not wear my rain hat. I was so nervous and scared. Perhaps that is why my grades were always an A, and God forbid I received a B. There is much to say about the discipline we received, and I don't feel it was abusive or bad. In fact, it would benefit many youngsters today if discipline, respect and dignity were instilled in them.

Susan V.: 10th Aug 2010 - 05:28 GMT

I went to St. Leonard's from about 1958-1963. There was a time in my adult life that every time I saw a nun I wanted to go up to her and kick her in the ass! lol. I remember my first day and witnessing my first abuse to a poor kid who wouldn't stop crying in church before school. About 5 or 6 nuns hauled him out of the church and you could hear the screaming, a half hour later he walked back in like an angel.

There were two black girls that were sisters in my class and I remember them always being targeted for any little thing. One of them was chewing gum so the nun (don't remember her name) made the poor girl sit in the trash can with the gum on her nose for all to look at. How humiliated I was for them. After that sitting in the trash can was their particular punishment both of them would receive. I would take them home to my house (263 Melrose) because they were nice girls and I felt bad for them.
I remember one of the boys had masking tape on his mouth and the trash can deal more than once. After hours went by Sister M. Hagdeline would tear the masking tape off his lips with some of the skin 2 days in a row! Boy, that's got to hurt.
I was lucky enough to sit next to a girl who had some learning problems (who needed special schooling) and was so afraid she would pee herself everyday.
This boy, Nunzio made the mistake of telling a joke and got the crap slapped out of him.....ahh the good old days. Me, I was a daydreamer and S. Mary would sneak up and smack me blindsided. I was the 2nd smallest kid in the class, for Christ sake!!
The rulers were unusually thick and used quite often on kids who had dirty hands or nails. If you didn't keep your hands out to be smacked with this ruler you guessed it, you got double whacked. Unfortunately I lived across the street from the convent and they would try and catch us kids to go to the store for them and we would run away only to be called to S. Mary Wilford's office. That's when I would pee my pants!!! I always wondered about the kids in my class. I moved away in 6th grade.
Some of the kids were, Maria, Stephanie, Angela, Louise, Patty, Walter, Nunzio, Richard. I wish we were allowed to actually talk and KNOW you's!!

Ted: 11th Aug 2010 - 23:20 GMT

Carm these is a big difference between discipline and abuse. By 1969 those nuns were crazy. Many actually wanted men, they were so frustrated they went nuts. Others were simply evil.
Those nuns literally killed a small black boy who kept falling asleep, hallucinate and drool in class.
Week after week they would repeatedly call him a clown sit him in a garbage can in the back, bang his head against blackboard, 5 to10 hard blows. One day the kid went down on the first blow and never returned to school.
Turns out that kid had a brain tumor, he died.
I think his name was George Edkins...."something"-kins
This would be 1968 right before Hurricane Camille when my parents pulled me out of the school and moved to Ridgewood down the street from PS 68.
Public school was a dream, I had never seen a science, art gym class's and hot teachers in skirts before.
I actually learned and had friends...it was amazing

Carm: 12th Aug 2010 - 20:07 GMT

Ted: I'm glad to hear everything worked out well for you. As it did for me and my sisters. My parents moved back to Toronto, Canada so we were only there for a few years. From what I've read, the discipline did get out of hand and I agree with you there is a big difference between discipline and abuse. I am so sorry for the young black boy. Was anything done about this? Did parents speak out? I, as a mother, knowing this was going on, could never not take it further and create an investigation. Glad to hear that you too were saved! So how is life in beautiful New York. We (my sisters and I) always reminisce about our younger days in Brooklyn and trips to Long Island, and New York city!

Tina: 12th Aug 2010 - 21:12 GMT

My sister Carm just e-mailed this article to me. We attended St. Leonard's in 1961 - 63. We moved back to Toronto when I was in grade 4. My teacher was Sr. Mary Magdeline. She was cold & strict. I remember I was in the washroom & I could hear a girl crying & screaming because the gr.8 nun ( I can't remember her name, she was very tall ) had her head under the sink with cold water running. The reason for this because she had come to school with her hair teased.

Susan: 25th Aug 2010 - 02:32 GMT

So sorry to hear of all the terrible things that went on in the school. My great-g-grandfather was Leonhard Eppig, church named after his son and St. Barbara's after daughter. My g-g-uncle started St. Louis Church near Nostrand Ave. I too have run across "Religious or Laity" Catholic not-Godlike people. I pray for all who have been hurt by cruel, unloving people - and ask Jesus to enter into your hearts. People will always disappoint and hurt you (I believe that they do not know what Love is and are lacking it) - Allow God to love you and ask for a personal relationship. Peace.

Patricia D.: 27th Aug 2010 - 16:36 GMT

I went to Saint Leonards and had a wonderful experience, Sister Michael Bernadette was very kind. I have been reading all the articles and cannot believe we all went to the same school. All my memories are good ones. It is so sad to see the Church all boarded up.
Whatever became of the Convent?? I remember helping out after school there.
Patricia D.

Maria: 28th Aug 2010 - 01:39 GMT

Patricia,
Perhaps you can tell me what order of nuns taught at the school? Thanks.

Ted: 29th Aug 2010 - 00:59 GMT

Carm-
Most kids were brainwashed into not telling our parents.
One day the nuns beat the boys with bats (son's of "goodfellas" including the 108 pct captains son) that's when the s_ hit the fan bigtime.
The jis was up and the parents did speak out big, over a dozen parents stormed the school.
By the time an investigation was started whoever runs the churches (Rockville Center ?) hid and re-assigned all the bad nuns.
Some of them married (or that's what we were told)
About a year after that the Church sold off all the benches and everything closed down. My aunt has one of the 2 seat's pew's my grandparents always sat in.
That place was pure hell, id equate it to 1943.
The nuns hated the black and Italian kids they had it the worst
Leonhard Eppig would no doubt been disgusted sick to know what went on under Vatican control.
Nuns and Priests should be allowed to marry rather then have such a small pool of sick people to choose from

Patricia D.: 1st Sep 2010 - 16:17 GMT

Dear Maria,

I do not know what order the Nuns were - but will try and find out.

Still want to know what became of the Convent.

Patricia D.

Maria: 5th Sep 2010 - 02:03 GMT

Susan, Thanks for the info. I had Dominicans at St. Joseph's on Suydam Street (6 blocks away) and they were the kindest nuns ever! Maybe they put all the "loonies" in St. Leonard's. I couldn't believe what those poor kids went through. Too bad someone didn't put a stop to them, but years ago parents always gave the nuns (or teachers) right. If you went home & said a teacher smacked you, you got worse from your parents. That would never happen today.