College Paters Jozefieten

The college of the Josephite Fathers was founded in 1837 by Canon Constant Van Crombrugghe,
The monastery, primary education and general secondary education are still located on the domain in Melle. There is also a thriving boarding school.

During the First World War, the Ortskommandantur moved into the college. The horse stables were set up in one of the buildings (photo 5).
The quartering of German soldiers on the grounds of the college caused enormous damage to, among other things, the museums, laboratories and demonstration rooms.
In 1913, Melle was a school with international allure. Students and former students from 53 different countries and different parts of the world attended classes in the college of the Josephite Fathers.
After the war there was a sharp decline in the number of foreign students.

During the Second World War (June 1, 1940), Adolf Hitler met with his generals in the garden of the college.
Field Marshal General Montgomery also visited the college during its liberation.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck