Lake of Saint Vincent
Construction of the Lake of Saint Vincent began on July 29, 1920. Built under the auspices of the Alumni Association, the project required the removal of 40,000 cubic feet of earth; 1,700 yards of embankment; and an open trench 1,400 feet in length, as well as two cement spillways. A large boathouse was also constructed on the southern edge of the lake. Overall,the lake consumed approximately fourteen acres of land.By the first winter following construction, temperatures were sufficiently cold enough that the frozen lake afforded many days of ice skating for Saint Vincent students.During warmer months, the lake provided for boating and swimming. The picturesque body of water was also used year-round for fishing. The shimmering surface of the freshwater lake often reflected the image of the Saint Vincent campus and was a popular recreational destination for students, area residents, and for those passing through Western Pennsylvania who wanted to enjoy a scenic stop along their travels.
According to Father Warren Murrman, O.S.B., P’56,C’61, S’65, the large boathouse at the lake was dismantled in the mid-1960s. Over the years, the lake has been slowly filling with sediment and is now at a point where the oxygen levels in the water can no longer support a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Today, no one swims in the murky waters of the lake, nor do they ice skate upon its surface in the winter. In keeping with Benedictine values that in part foster good stewardship of God’s earth, plans have been formulated to return the lake to an environmentally stable wetlands where both wildlife and natural vegetation can once again flourish. The site, though different in appearance, will continue to be a testament to the Saint Vincent community of the past, present, and future,