Currently, DENA assumes the roles of administration, operations, and education across a broad spectrum of more than 30 ministries. These ministries are located in diverse areas, including Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ontario (Canada), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. Our commitment extends to understanding and addressing the unique realities and challenges faced by our students and clients.
In 1845, the first U.S. citizen to become a Christian Brother completed his training in Montreal, where the Institute traces its North American beginnings back to 1837. This young man was John McMullen, who was given the name of Brother Francis. In 1845, he and an Irish-Canadian novice, Brother Edward, started conducting the already-existing school (previously staffed by laymen) at Calvert Hall in Baltimore. Today known as Calvert Hall College High School, this became the first permanent Lasallian school in the United States.
In 1848, four Christian Brothers journeyed to New York from France, and within two months they established St. Vincent’s Parochial School on Canal Street. St. Vincent’s relocated to Second Street in 1856, and in 1887 changed its name to La Salle Academy, which stands today.
At the request of Bishop De Charbonnel, five Brothers came to Toronto, Ontario in 1851, opening the first Lasallian school in English-speaking Canada, today known as De La Salle College “Oaklands.”
Loyal to the charism of Saint La Salle, the Christian Brothers responded generously to the tremendous need for Catholic education in many other cities and towns throughout the U.S. By the late 1860s, the New York District was created and quickly became too large for one Brother Visitor (Provincial) to administer, with the schools and communities in the mid-Atlantic becoming the Baltimore District in 1878. With the New York District’s additional growth, the Institute established the Long Island-New England District for the schools in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Rhode Island, in 1956.
By the 1950s, expansion of the mission and a growing understanding of vocation moved the Brothers to share their mission widely with lay partners. This creative approach has continued today in this country and across the world.
Constituted in 1914, the Toronto District was an integral part of the Institute until a sharp decline resulted in the status of Delegation, effective in 2001. In January 2007, the Delegation of Toronto was incorporated into the New York District.
Years of discussion and diligent planning in light of changing realities, the Districts of Baltimore, Long Island-New England, and New York were canonically combined by the Institute on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 creating the new District of Eastern North America, with its Provincialate in Eatontown, NJ.
Historical facts & figures provided by: Brother Joseph Grabenstein, FSC
We Lasallians of the District of Eastern North America, welcome the call of the Holy Trinity to touch hearts, as we strive to be a friendly face of the Church for those entrusted to our care, realizing that ours is a mission of privileged service that is very necessary in these times.
Since the Institute’s beginning at one parish school in Rheims, France, in 1680, it’s educational ministry has grown into a worldwide network of students, educators, parents, benefactors, and alumni. In God’s Providence, De La Salle and the first Brothers established the Christian and Gratuitous Schools (now called Lasallian Schools) as a visible instrument of the reign of God, making education accessible to the young, especially those who are impoverished and marginalized.
The De La Salle Christian Brothers provide a Christian education to underprivileged youth, following a church-assigned mission inspired by Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
Since the Institute’s beginning at one parish school in Rheims, France, in 1680, it’s educational ministry has grown into a worldwide network of students, educators, parents, benefactors, and alumni. In God’s Providence, De La Salle and the first Brothers established the Christian and Gratuitous Schools (now called Lasallian Schools) as a visible instrument of the reign of God, making education accessible to the young, especially those who are impoverished and marginalized.
Comprised of 5 geographic Regions, containing a collective of over 35 Districts, there are close to 1,000 schools and educational centers at every level, as well as children and family services programs in 80 countries educating nearly 1 million students. The Brothers of the Christian Schools is the largest religious order of Brothers in the church dedicated solely to the mission of Christian education.
The District Archives serves as the final repository for the historical records of the De La Salle Christian Brothers of the District of Eastern North American and the legacy Districts of New York, Long Island-New England and Baltimore.
Its primary purpose is to document the history of the districts and to provide source material for members of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and other members of the Lasallian community, including scholars, authors and other interested persons who seek to evaluate the impact of the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ activities on the history of American Catholic educational, social, cultural, and intellectual development.
The Core Mission of the Archives is to:
A community of men devoted to the cause of education and service to the young and less fortunate. The De La Salle Christian Brothers (FSC) heed God’s call, dedicating themselves entirely to Jesus Christ and the mission of education, especially for the marginalized.
Through a life of prayer, living in community, service and the work in ministry, the Brothers integrate the realm of educating young people with the transformative power of the Gospel. Join the Brothers in their journey to make a difference through education and service.
Discover a wealth of historical information in DENA’s District Archives Publication and Resources, offering insights into the region’s heritage and legacy.
The Brothers of the Christian Schools
District of Eastern North America
444-A Route 35 South
Eatontown, NJ 07724
732-380-7926
