Ever wondered how a school founded in 1866 has thrived through wars, social changes, and educational reforms? That’s the story of Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse. It stands as a testament to Brussels’ commitment to education.
Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse started as a primary school. Abbé Michel Dhanis founded it in Ixelles. The school quickly grew. In 1866, it gained autonomy from the parish. Mgr Oswald van den Berghe added a cycle of humanities. By 1869, Abbé Jean-Baptiste Collet aimed to make it a leading diocesan college.
The Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse expanded. In 1871, the first Latin class opened. A priest joined the faculty. By 1872, the school moved to a house on chaussée d’Ixelles. The curriculum expanded. Abbé Collet created a cycle of higher humanities in 1880. The first rhetoric class graduated in 1884.
Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse adapted to the times. Modern humanities courses began in 1886. The school acquired property on rue du Conseil in 1911. New facilities were planned. World War I delayed construction.
After the war, Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse moved. It opened its new buildings on rue du Viaduc in 1920. Cardinal Mercier attended the 50th-anniversary celebration. The college had 600 students.
The interwar period saw growth. Organs were installed in the chapel in 1930. The chapel got mural decorations in 1932-1933. A relic of Saint Boniface arrived in 1935.
During World War II, Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse played a role. The Secret Army met in a professor’s office. After the war, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1946.
Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse continued to evolve. A commercial school was founded in 1951. Vitraux were installed in the Ancients’ hall in 1952. A school annex opened in Boitsfort in 1953. The Parents’ Association formed in 1955. The first female professor joined the faculty in 1958.
The school adapted its facilities. Dorms became gyms and classrooms in 1963. The school celebrated its centennial in 1966.
Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse embraced coeducation. It merged with the primary section of l’école de l’Arbre Bénit in 1973. In 1975, it merged with Institut du Parnasse. It officially became Institut Saint-Boniface Parnasse.
Today, Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse stands as a modern school. It offers immersion programs. It supports students with high potential. The school continues its mission. It balances intellectual development with personal growth.
So next time you pass by Institut Saint-Boniface-Parnasse, remember its long history. From a small primary school to a modern educational institution, it has shaped countless lives. Its motto “Dieu Seul” reflects its enduring values.