Manresa’s St. Mary Hall
| New bricks are evident along the base of the exterior wall, above the windows, and in openings where room air conditioners once protruded. After renovations, each suite will have its own central air conditioning thermostat and a private bathroom. | |||
BROKEN BUT WITH HOPE
St. Mary’s Hall (the main structure at Manresa, built in 1845) is presently undergoing a major renovation. Over the years the moisture in the bricks and wood beams has caused serious concern for the support foundation and the safety of those who spend time there.
| Heavy equipment, dumpsters, debris, and supplies sit in front of the huge lodge, replacing a manicured lawn and blooming flowers. | |||
On our July retreat we were saddened to see the majestic white brick structure with its 22 huge round columns of brick. Once-magnificent, it is now cracked, broken, and violated, and we are concerned for its future. All the inner walls on the first two floors have been gutted and only the wood framework was visible through the dirty, cracked and broken glass windows. Thousands of bricks have been removed from the exterior walls, and the white paint that made this structure proud is now nothing more than a temporary “eye sore”. As we looked at her and remembered, one could not help but feel the despair this grand old structure was feeling, for in the past she provided beauty and comfort to thousands of retreatants.
| The familiar entrance to St. Mary’s Hall is cordoned off with vinyl fencing and construction signs. Father Ostini reports optimistically that the projected completion date is in the Spring of 2005. | |||
No one could enter her doors this retreat. Many “No Trespassing” signs were posted on an orange vinyl net fence to keep the curious about 15 feet away. On the other side of the fence, tall grass and weeds overrun by heavy equipment replaced what was once a manicured lawn with blooming flowered bushes and trees. She just sat there waiting for workers to restore her to her past elegance. As we wait, we pray that soon this beauty on the River Road in Convent, Louisiana, will again attract passers-by as she once did. In spite of what we saw, we support the decision to renovate - and not to demolish and build a new structure. In this case old is good!!