The conversion of the Convent of St. Vincent de Paul into classrooms and other use for St. Vincent's Academy is complete with doors open to public tours following a private dedication ceremony Dec. 4.
St. Vincent's Academy, the oldest continuously operating Mercy school in the world, began a multi-million dollar renovation project of the Convent of St. Vincent de Paul, one of Savannah's most historic and notable structures. The 1845 building on which construction took place is marked on the National Register of Historic Places. Renovation of the 1845 convent building has greatly expanded St. Vincent’s Academy’s physical and educational service capacity.
The more than $3 million renovation project lasted a year and a half, adding an additional 11,000-plus square feet to the school, allowing for six additional classrooms, assembly space, a board room, a museum room, offices and small meeting spaces. A new elevator and stair tower was constructed to reach the third floor space from the ground floor. Aside from interior structural renovations, construction also provided the necessary technical advancements and digital infrastructure warranted in today’s modern academic settings.
Credit: St. Vincent's Academy
Credit: St. Vincent's Academy
Established in 1845 by the Sisters of Mercy, the structure was home to generations of sisters who served both the adjoining school and throughout the community. Hundreds of sisters lived in the space over the years, accomplishing many amazing things in Savannah and providing mission-oriented work to many.
They educated, boarded and housed students and orphans. They helped establish the parochial schools in Georgia, locally staffing Cathedral Day School, Nativity, and Blessed Sacrament Schools. The Sisters nursed wounded Civil War soldiers and at the city's request, they staffed Forest City Marine Hospital, founded St. Joseph's Hospital (St. Joseph's/Candler), and St. Mary's Orphanage.
They made historic contributions to this city in the fields of education, medicine and pastoral care. Our graduates continue in their paths. Through the years, parts of the convent were adapted to accommodate the growing need for academic classrooms and enhanced educational spaces. The last of the resident sisters moved from the building in 2017, leaving additional space available and ready for student and school use. At that time, the sisters asked that the space be used for students of St. Vincent's Academy.
“St. Vincent’s Academy and the Sisters of Mercy have a nearly two centuries-old commitment to Savannah and the surrounding regions. This major renovation to our campus makes that commitment even stronger,” said SVA President Mary Anne Hogan. “We are thrilled that this project has come to fruition as it has added a much wider dimension, improved educational capacities and overall enhanced experience for our young women at St. Vincent’s.
“We were further blessed that our School Board members were strongly committed to this project and were diligent in selecting the right partners who they felt would respect and honor the living legacies that this institution and our campus represent, as well as protecting the safety of our students and faculty.” Hogan said. “To that end, we are excited to have the architectural experience of Lominack, Kolman and Smith, as well as the construction team at The Pinyan Co. as our partners on this project.”
The cost of the construction project was funded collectively through donations from generous alumnae, businesses, organizations and other donors throughout the region, who provided the necessary funds to cover the project costs. The school is especially grateful for the amazing $1 million gift donated by Ed and Jan Brown, which spearheaded the project.
One hundred seventy six years of alumnae have made and continue to make significant personal, service-oriented, and professional contributions to the world. St. Vincent's will now be able to continue that mission into the future with the completion of this renovation.
Christina S. Winters is the director of advancement at St. Vincent's Academy. She can be reached at christina.winters@svaga.net.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Convent space conversion expands St. Vincent's Academy
