After Philippine Duchesne left the historic church of St. Ferdinand, the Sisters of Loretto arrived and taught at this school for more than 100 years.

1847: Sisters of Loretto arrive at St. Ferdinand and reopen the day school boarding school for girls

1878: Narrow Gauge Railroad opened, connecting St. Louis to Florissant in one hour, which was much more

           convenient for city students

1880: Church remodeled in Italian Romanesque Revival, as it is seen today

1882: New Loretto academy building was finished for a boarding school and to house the faculty nuns

1888: School house building completed for the parish day school

1919: Loretto academy building was destroyed by fire, 50 students and 75 faculty and infirmed nuns got out safely.  After this fire, the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District was established.  

1957: St. Ferdinand school and parish were relocated to Charbonier to accommodate the growing population