Overview
The Roman Catholic Dressmaking School, later also known as the Mater Amabilis School, stood at Dijkstraat 8 in Aalten, next to St Elisabeth’s Convent. The Catholic school was intended for girls and provided practical training in needlework and domestic subjects. The building served several purposes during the twentieth century, but has since disappeared.
The school was built in 1928 to a design by architect J.J. Post of Winterswijk and was closely associated with the convent of the sisters.
Mater Amabilis School
The education followed the nationwide development of the Mater Amabilis schools, Catholic formation schools established after the Second World War to prepare working-class girls for their future roles as wives, mothers or religious sisters. The name ‘Mater Amabilis’ is Latin and means ‘Mother of Mercy’, a title for the Virgin Mary.
The course usually lasted two years and included practical subjects such as sewing, knitting, dressmaking, cooking, hygiene, childcare and household skills. Pupils also received religious instruction and took part in prayers and other church activities.
Lessons were taught by religious sisters, including Sister Ignatia, who taught dressmaking and pattern-cutting. Pupils came not only from Aalten but also from nearby places such as Lichtenvoorde.
New uses and demolition
After the dressmaking school closed in 1960, the building was put to other uses. It first housed two classes from the neighbouring St Joseph’s School; after 1970 it was used as a parish centre and later as the Fam Che youth centre.
The building was eventually demolished. Apartments now stand on the site of the former school and convent complex.
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