Mary Villa is a large building situated at the top of Church Street and has spacious grounds attached to it. Handbook of Jamaica, 1883
Father Jaeckel's Mary Villa College, 1877 - 1888
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Father Jaeckel - how the College started - the history of the College - what came next?
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Francis Xavier Jaeckel was born in Germany, possibly in Coblenz. He completed his Jesuit 'formation' in Wales in 1861, and was then sent to the mission in Honduras.
Some ten years later he asked to be transferred to Jamaica, where he must have felt at home, since he stayed here for the rest of his life.
This could be a record of his christening:
Event: Christening: 25 JUL 1828 Liebfrauen Katholisch, Koblenz Stadt, Rheinland, Preussen
Parents: Father: WILHELMI JAEKEL Mother: CATHARINAE LUDGERI
Fr.Jaeckel is a mine of energy and talent. He is capable of anything, whether as a teacher or missionary and has all the drudgery of a German . . .
My own idea is that teaching would be more in his line than a mission. If you try him at all, it would be well to give him some independent work in which he would not be liable to be fettered by other Fathers.
In Fr Osborne's words - 'Jaeckel had almost unlimited talent, but he was also gifted with a very strong will. Once he had charted his course, he adhered to it despite difficulties and opposition.'
Source for Fr Jaeckel's early career: History of the Catholic Church in Jamaica, 1988, Francis J. Osborne, S.J.
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I have done all the work I can on this site for the moment, but if I find more information on Father Jaeckel and Mary Villa College I will promptly include it here! (Still working on the Alumni.)
Joy Lumsden
I have tried to be as factually accurate as possible on these pages, but there are certainly errors which need to be corrected. I shall be grateful for information on any such needed corrections.
My opinions are another matter, but I have tried to keep them to a minimum any way!
This is a strictly non-profit, educational site. No copyright infringement is intended. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Joy Lumsden
jamaican_sites(at)care2.com
