Convent and Academy of the Visitation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Convent and Academy of the Visitation
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The east building was built in 1855 and serves as the main entrance to the convent.
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 Location in Mobile, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2300 Spring Hill Avenue Mobile, Alabama |
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| Area | 11 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Built | 1855; 1895; 1899 |
| Architect | James Henry Hutchisson |
| Architectural style | French Renaissance, Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Historic Roman Catholic Properties in Mobile Multiple Property Submission |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000844 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1992 |
The Convent and Academy of the Visitation, now properly known as the Visitation Monastery, is a special group of historic Catholic buildings. It also includes a small cemetery. This site is located in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The buildings and their grounds were carefully recorded in 1937. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 24, 1992. This means they are important historical places. The Visitation Monastery is one of only two old convent complexes still standing in Mobile today.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Visitation Monastery
Starting a School for Girls
The Convent of the Visitation was founded by Bishop Michael Portier. He was the first bishop in Mobile. Bishop Portier wanted to open a convent for the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. His goal was for the sisters to provide education for girls in his area. At that time, there were not enough schools. He received permission from Pope Gregory XVI to do this. In 1832, the first five sisters arrived from Georgetown.
Growth and Rebuilding
The academy taught 40 students in its first year. More and more students joined over time. However, a fire in May 1854 destroyed the original buildings. Rebuilding of the convent began just one month after the fire. A new group of buildings was constructed. These buildings form the main part of the convent even today. Architect James Henry Hutchisson designed these new buildings. He used a French Renaissance style. They were finished in 1855.
From School to Retreat House
By the early 1900s, the academy had grown. It included both a high school and a grammar school. These schools were located in a three-story building on the west side of the main quadrangle. This building was constructed in 1900. Both schools closed by 1952. The former school building was taken down in 1953. After that, the sisters started a retreat house. This retreat continues today. It hosts groups for men, women, and young people. It also holds many other events. Major restoration work was done on the buildings from 1985 to 1991. The inside of Sacred Heart Chapel was fully restored starting in 1998. It was rededicated in late 1999.
Exploring the Visitation Monastery Buildings
Main Buildings and Architecture
The main buildings at the monastery include the quadrangle of buildings finished in 1855. These are in the French Renaissance Revival style. There are also several newer structures. The Romanesque Revival Sacred Heart Chapel was completed on the grounds in 1895. A house for visiting priests was finished in 1899. This house blends the Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival styles.
Walls and Cemetery
The grounds of the convent are surrounded by tall brick walls. These walls date back to the 1850s. Besides the outer wall, there are inner walls. These walls separate the public areas from the private parts of the main complex. They also enclose a private cemetery for the Order of the Visitation. The graves in this cemetery are marked by simple white crosses.
