Our History
Ursuline Beginnings
Our beginnings date back to 1845 when Julia Chatfield and ten Ursuline sisters traveled from France to St. Martin, Ohio to establish a school for girls. For 136 years the School of the Brown County Ursulines provided a quality, Catholic education to girls who traveled to the small Ohio village from all parts of the world. They were guided by the values of:
- Nurturing the whole person
- Fostering collaboration
- Forming servant leaders
- Living Gospel values
The sisters’ bold vision and willingness to adapt to changing needs led to establishing Chatfield College in 1971. For the next 50 years Chatfield College helped men and women change their lives through education at campuses in St. Martin and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Guided by the same values established in 1845 and continuing to see education as a powerful path to success, in 2023 Chatfield College transitioned from a liberal arts college to The Chatfield Edge, serving first-generation and non-traditional students who are engaged in college, trade school, and certificate programs. Today, with the support of generous donors and mentors, we remove obstacles faced by these students and make post-secondary education not just possible, but a reality.
Timeline
1845
Cincinnati Archbishop Purcell invites Ursuline sisters, under the direction of Mother Julia Chatfield, to travel from Boulogne-Sur Mer and Beaulieu, France, to St. Martin to establish a school for girls.
1958
The Ursulines of Brown County open the Ursuline Teacher Training Institute in St. Martin to provide quality liberal arts education to sisters joining the Ursuline Order.
1971
Ursuline Teacher Training Institute is renamed Chatfield College to honor Sr. Julia. It is opened to the public and accredited under the Higher Learning Commission.
1989
Cincinnati campus moves from Lower Price Hill to North Fairmont, and later to Mercy/St. John near Findlay Market.
2015
Chatfield College completes construction of a new campus in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, allowing more students access to its quality associate degree.
2023
Chatfield College transitions from a liberal arts college to The Chatfield Edge, helping to make higher education possible for first-generation and non-traditional students.
