PASSING OF LANDMARK; 15-room house, over 100 years old, at rear of St. Patrick's cathedral, which is to be torn down soon. The first parochial school in Norwich was conducted here in the 1880's.

The first parochial school in Norwich, a 15-room house on Otis place, rear of St. Patrick's cathedral, is to be razed shortly, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Reilly, V. G., rector of St. Patrick's cathedral, said Sunday.

The house originally was located on the land, on Broadway now occupied by St. Patrick's cathedral. The property was purchased in 1869 from the Appleton Meech estate by St. Patrick's church corporation, in its plans to establish the church there.

Later, as the work of erecting St. Patrick's church, now St. Patrick's cathedral, started, the house was moved to the rear of the church property.

The Immaculate Conception school was operated there, first as a private tuition school which in January 1882 became a free school. It was the forerunner of the present St. Patrick's parochial school, which was opened in Sept., 1883, built at a cost of $43,000.

The Sisters of Mercy came here in 1872 to staff the original school and have been the teaching nuns in the parish since that time.

The razing of the house will provide additional parking area at the rear of the church, Msgr. Reilly said. He said the cost of upkeep of the house has increased considerably in recent years.

For a long time, the structure was a dwelling house, with three large apartments.

Msgr. Reilly said the only known surviving member of the classes of the first parochial school is Mrs. Charles W. Corcoran of 57 Broad street, mother of Rev. Charles W. Corcoran, a Norwich native priest.