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 known as the Visitation Monastery, is a group of old Catholic buildings in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It also has a small cemetery. These buildings and their land were studied in 1937. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This means they are important historical sites. It is one of only two old convent complexes left in Mobile.
Contents
History of the Visitation Monastery
The Visitation Convent was started by Bishop Michael Portier. He was the first bishop of Mobile. Bishop Portier wanted to create a convent for the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. This group of nuns would provide education for girls in his area. There were not enough schools at the time.
He received permission from Pope Gregory XVI to do this. In 1832, the first five nuns arrived from Georgetown.
Early Years 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 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 today. Architect James Henry Hutchisson designed these new buildings. He used a French Renaissance style. They were finished in 1855.
Later Developments and Restoration
By the early 1900s, the academy had grown. It included a high school and a grammar school. These schools were 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 old school building was taken down in 1953. After that, the nuns started a retreat house. A retreat house is a place where people can go for quiet reflection and spiritual growth.
The retreat house is still active today. It hosts groups for men, women, and young people. It also holds many other events. Major restoration work happened from 1985 to 1991. The inside of Sacred Heart Chapel was fully restored starting in 1998. It was rededicated in late 1999.
Buildings and Grounds
The main buildings are the quadrangle of French Renaissance Revival style buildings. These were finished in 1855. There are also several newer structures.
Sacred Heart Chapel
The Romanesque Revival Sacred Heart Chapel was completed in 1895. It is a beautiful church on the grounds.
Other Structures and Walls
A house for visiting priests was finished in 1899. It combines Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival styles.
High brick walls surround the convent grounds. These walls date back to the 1850s. Inside, other walls separate the public areas from the private areas. There is also a private cemetery for the nuns of the Order of the Visitation. The graves in the cemetery are marked by simple white crosses.
