Image from the Cincinnati Post of an untouched statue of the Virgin Mary located in the St. Xavier Commercial School
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| Above: An excerpt describing the damage to the school and the Sixth Street convent. (Cincinnati Post; July 16, 1942; page 18 reprinted by permission of the “Cincinnati Museum Center, Photographs, Prints, & Media Collection.”) |
It often happens, while reviewing past oral histories, that we discover a Sister was witness to and recorded local and national events. In the late evening of July 15, 1942, a gasoline explosion occurred in a garage at 511 Sycamore Street, a blast that shook the downtown area. In the era of WWII, the thoughts of Sisters and residents of downtown Cincinnati was that the city was under attack. Sr. Margaret Michael, living at the Sixth Street convent, wrote her recollection of the events at the convent. A text transcription is linked here.
Recorded some years later, hear Sr. Margaret Michael in her own words.
Thankfully, all Sisters were unharmed, but sadly, four individuals perished in the explosion, and another later succumbed to injuries he sustained.