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In 1847 a parochial school was organized, to be conducted under the supervision and direction of the church, and in 1850 it assumed the character of an academy. A building was erected chiefly through the zeal and liberality of the members of the church. Its cost was about seven hundred dollars. It was located on a part of the public ground deeded to the congregation for school and church purposes. In 1853 Rev. James S. Henderson, the pastor, erected a large and commodious house on the site where the present North Sewickley Presbyterian Church manse now stands. The large house made the Academy a boarding school or dormitory. From that time it was known as the North Sewickley Academy.
During Rev. Henderson's time, Miss Kildoo was the only teacher, and she remained under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Weber, who succeed Rev. Henderson. Miss Porter was added to the faculty. Later Miss Kildoo left and Miss Kate McBeth became the principal teacher. There were many boarders and day scholars, who later became Prominent as preachers, doctors, lawyers, judges and statesmen, as well as business men, teachers and missionaries.
At the close of the Civil War, Rev. Weber turned the Academy into a soldiers' orphanage, and at one time one hundred and five boys and girls were cared for. Several teachers were added to the faculty and there were still many day scholars. In 1871 Rev. John Aughey took charge of the school and remained about two years. Then it went into the hands of Prof. Chreswell, but soon was closed. The boys and girls from the orphanage were transferred to Phillipsburg, now known as Monaca, Pa. Prof. Mitchell taught at the school in 1872. Prof. Cheney was teaching at the school February, 1881, having one girl and thirteen boys as students. From 1891 to 1897 there was summar school, taught by capable teachers. In 1895 the property was purchased by the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and was later purchased by the North Sewickley Cemetery Company. In 1911 the dormitory was destroyed by fire. About 1916 the church purchased the property and raised the old academy building, to erect a parsonage on the site of the old house.
Today all that remains of the old Academy is the memory of thoe who spent many blessed and profitable days within its walls.
Taken from "A HISTORY OF ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA". Data compiled by the late Dr. A.E. Whittaker, M.D. Zelienople, Pa. Edited by the Ellwood City Historical Association in 1942onthe5Oth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Borough of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.