The Clock which Brothers brought in 1852
The conditions for teaching and housing the Brothers were deplorable , but nevertheless , despite the shabby appearance , pupils were not at all repulsed . It is stated that the brethren of the Masonic Lodge were so moved by the apalling conditions under which both teachers and pupils tried their best , that they made a monthly donation of $ 25 towards the upkeep of the school for the first 3 years . Apart from the financial support of the Masonic Lodge , the Church Mission in Singapore , the Temenggong and the French Government also gave a substantial amount to construct a building to minimum requirements to house the increasinq student population .
On 19th March 1855 , the corner-stone of the new school was laid . During this impressive ceremony , which was attended by a large gathering including the Sisters and girls of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus , a bottle containing a note with the following words was laid in the granite stone : " I n the year of our Lord 1855 on the 19th March , the Feast of St . Joseph , the Glorious Patron of this Mission and especially of all the undertakings of the Reverend J . M . Beurel , for the Propogation of the Catholic faith , the first stone of this building to be erected for the use of the venerated and pious Brethren of the Christian Schools established in the town of Singapore in the year 1852 , has been laid by the Reverend Father Hvpolito Huerta , of the Order of the Hermits of St . Augustine , under the patronage of and with the Blessing of the Right Reverend Dr . J . B . Boucho , Italia , the Venerable Vicar Apostalic of the Mission . Complete , 0 Lord , this work which is undertaken for Thy Glory and the salvation of souls in this place , under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her glorious spouse St . Joseph . Amen ". With the laying of the corner-stone in 1855 the name of the school was changed to St . Joseph ' s
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