With the blessing of St. Mary’s Catholic parish and financial support of the Inez S. Bull Foundation, the chapel at the former St. Joseph’s Monastery will soon be home to space that can be utilized for performing arts in the area.
Foundation board member and St. Marys native, Zachary Hoffman (now of Atlanta, Ga.), became involved in the project after he heard they were going to tear down the chapel, which was built in 1886.
“St. Mary’s Church was my home parish growing up,” said Hoffman. “I went to the Catholic school and took piano and organ lessons from the organist in St. Mary’s Church. When I found out they were going to tear everything down, I talked to the foundation. Our whole mission is to promote performing arts and this was a way we could do that and save a piece of local history.”
The building will mostly remain the same, aside from some cosmetic upgrades, such as refinishing the original hardwood flooring, painting walls and redoing lights. Additionally, the foundation purchased a new Steinway grand piano for the chapel.
“I think it’s pretty interesting that a chapel from 1886 is going to be able to be saved,” noted Hoffman. “The marble altars are beautiful and there’s a large painting on the wall. It’s a really neat historical building that I think most people in St. Marys and the St. Marys area haven’t been in because it wasn’t very accessible to the general public before.”
According to Hoffman, the chapel was used as the Benedictine Sisters’ primary place of worship until 1934, when a larger chapel was constructed on Maurus Street. At that time, the structure became home of the Benedictine Sisters Library until the convent closed in 2014.
Once all renovations are complete, the foundation will host a concert to dedicate the new Steinway piano. Each surviving sister from St. Joseph’s will be invited to attend so they can see how important their presence was in the community.
The space will then be available for use for performing arts events. For example, if a local music teacher wanted to use it for something like a recital, they would contact the parish for approval prior to the event.
