Timeline

1852	Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati established
1853	Mount St. Vincent Motherhouse established in Cincinnati
1857	Mount St. Vincent Motherhouse moved to Cedar Grove in Cincinnati
1869	Sisters purchased Biggs Farm in Delhi Township west of Cincinnati and moved novitiate there
1883	First Sisters buried in Mount St. Joseph cemetery
1884	Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse established
1885	Fire destroyed the Motherhouse
1886	Marian Hall opened as first building in new Motherhouse complex
1892	Construction on center and east wings, chapel, and St. Mary’s Hall began
1901	Immaculate Conception Chapel dedicated
1906	Mount St. Joseph Academy opened
1909	Sisters of Charity celebrate the centennial of their founding by Elizabeth Seton
1920	College of Mount St. Joseph opened
1927	Seton Hall completed
1930	Mount St. Joseph cemetery enlarged and landscaped
1937	St. Vincent’s Hall completed
1947	Mother Margaret Hall opened Mount St. Joseph Academy closed
1962	College of Mount St. Joseph moved to new campus
1975	Elizabeth Seton canonized
1979	Sisters of Charity celebrated the sesquicentennial of their arrival in Cincinnati
1984	Celebration of the centennial of Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse
1997	Mount St. Joseph cemetery enlarged and landscaped
2000	Renovation of Immaculate Conception Chapel completed
2002	150th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

 

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Motherhouse Points of Interest

Immaculate Conception Chapel
Built in the shape of a Latin cross, this magnificent four-story chapel is a blend of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. Vaulted ceilings coalesce to form a central dome, which is enhanced with a mural painted by Richard Bachman. The central dome contains a monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament surrounded by four doctors of the Church who were devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. The sanctuary mural, depicting the Blessed Mother, was done by William Lambrecht.

The Community completed a substantial renovation of the chapel in 2000. A circular theme is carried out in a new octagonal altar which sits on a circular peninsula extending into the body of the chapel, a new baptismal font, and a semi-circular seating pattern using both new chairs and some of the original pews. The marble from the original altar was reconfigured and used in the baptismal font and in the base of the tabernacle.

Heritage Room
Formerly called the Archbishop’s Room, this large parlor features six panels outlining the history of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. It also contains portraits and other art pieces associated with the heritage of the Community. As with other rooms and corridors in the Motherhouse, art by Sisters of Charity is featured.

Art Room
This room was built to serve as an art gallery at the time the Motherhouse was constructed, as evidenced by the handsome wood second-floor gallery. True to its purpose, this room features paintings, furniture, pottery and other art pieces, many of which were gifts to the Community by family members of the Sisters, friends and clergy.

McCann Room
Exhibits related to Sister of Charity history are displayed in this room. One of the popular exhibits portrays the life of the Sisters prior to the Second Vatican Council. It features sections on prayer life, formation, Sisters’ education, community life and creativity.

Rose Room and Adjoining Heritage Hallway
The Rose Room is a gathering space for retreats, meetings and social events. Along with the adjoining hallway, it offers examples of art and artifacts either done by or associated with the ministries of the Sisters of Charity.

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