Architectural Description:
Classic Colonial Revival, utilitarian school building of the period. Large multi paned windows to allow natural light to enter the building.
Limestone trim with niche over the front entrance housing statue of St. Augustine.
Historical Narrative:
This site was formerly the location of the Henry G. Tyer homestead which faced on Chestnut Street. Henry G. Tyer founded the Tyer Rubber Co. in Andover and developed the compo shoe design and white rubber used for pharmaceutical purposes. His home was later the residence of his son Horace H. Tyer who took over as president of the company after his father's death. This corner lot had extensive gardens and a barn to the rear. The house and property were purchased from Catherine Tyer on July 30, 1913 by Thomas M. Smith of Boston.
Thomas Smith then transferred the property to the St. Mary's Church Society of Lawrence, James J. O'Rielly president. The site would become the first Roman Catholic School in Andover. In 1907 St. Augustine's Parish welcomed the Very Reverend Frederick S. Riordan to the church and it was through his efforts the school was establish. "Not waiting for the school to be erected, the Sisters fitted up the lower floor of their convent into classrooms, and began teaching in 1914" on September 8. Sister Helen Bernadine was the first principal serving twice from 1914-1921 and 1927-1931.
May 11, 1917 AT - Contract for the new Parochial School - The contract for the new parochial school has been awarded by Fr. Riodan to Phillip L. Hardy, of this town. The building will be of two stories with eight rooms and an assembly hall. The school will front on Central Streer with entrances from that street and Chestnut. Work will start at once and the large barn andcarriage house on the present property will either be sold or torn down. The new school will be complete and modern in every respect.
June 1, 1917 AT - Ground broken for the new Parochial School Monday should be ready by January 1918
Sept. 21, 1917 AT - Corner stone of St. Augustine’s School laid – Long article and drawing of the school on back page.
The new schoolhouse was formerly opened on September 8, 1918. Fr. Riordan had left several months earlier to become head of a Lawrence parish.
The former Tyer house then served as a convent for the teaching Nuns until 1961 when it was razed to build a new addition to the school building.
Mar. 23, 1961 Andover Townsman p3 – Photo - St. Augustine’s demolish house just behind school which was used as a convent.
Bibliography/References:
Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Andover, What it Was, What it Is. 1946
Andover Townsman
Owners;
Henry Osgood -
Joseph R. Millet – June 18, 1842 – b. 344 leaf 58 - $250 ¼ acre
Benjamin H. Punchard – Apr. 10, 1844 – b. 344 lf. 59 - $300 ¼ acre
Benj. H. Punchard estate, April 4, 1850 – heirs in Will.
William Rice – April 1854 – b. 495 leaf 229 - $4050
W. Phillips Foster – May 24, 1854 – b. 495 leaf 229 - $6500 w/blds.
Elizabeth Tyer and George Tyer - Oct. 2, 1865 - b. 695 leaf 202 - Salem., MA
Elizabeth Tyer estate, heirs, Elizabeth, Mary, Frances A., Catherine L., Laura B. and Horace H. Tyer, children of Henry & Elizabeth Tyer.
Horace H. Tyer - Aug. 8, 1882 - b. 69 p. 299
Horace H. Tyer from Sophrina A. Gray - second lot Aug. 20, 1883 - b. 73 p. 78
Horace H. Tyer Estate 1907
Heirs, Elizabeth & John W. Savery, Mary T. & John W. Fiske, Frances & John H. Flint, Catherine L. Tyer, and Laura & Frederick W. Thomas. - quit claim to sister.
Catherine L. Tyer - June 20, 1908 - b. 262 p. 181
Thomas M. Smith of Boston - July 30, 1913 - b. 333 p.88
St. Mary's Church Society, Lawrence, MA - July 30, 1913 - b. 333 p. 90
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston - Feb. 27, 1917
Inventory Data:
| Street | Central St |
| Place | Andover Center |
| Historic District | Central Street NRH District |
| Historic Name | St. Augustine School |
| Present Use | Parochial School |
| Original Use | Parochial School |
| Construction Date | 1918 |
| Source | ERDS, ENRDL |
| Architectural Style | Other |
| Foundation | concrete |
| Wall/Trim | brick/limestone |
| Roof | asphalt |
| Major Alterations | Addition on northeast end of school 1961 |
| Condition | good |
| Acreage | 1.070 arces |
| Setting | residential |
| Map and parcel | 55-108 |
| Recorded by | James S. Batchelder |
| Organization | Andover Preservation Commission |
| Date entered | April 17, 2014 |
