Mary Immaculate Seminary
Mary Immaculate Seminary was a Catholic seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1939 to train candidates for the Congregation of the Mission, commonly called the Vincentian Fathers, and operated until 1990. The facilities then served as a retreat center.[1] The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.[2]
History
In 1912, the Vincentians made the decision to build a school of theology for candidates to their community based in the
Construction began in 1938 and the cornerstone was blessed that year in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, the Archbishop of Philadelphia. The service was attended by 15,000 people.[4]
The seminary held its first classes in the fall of 1939. The member of the first class were
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia began to make use of the facilities for its own seminarians. In 1996, the Vincentian Fathers sold the property to the Archdiocese, which converted into use as a retreat center.[4]
The buildings
Chapel
In 1954 the Chapel of Mary Queen of all Saints was opened for worship by the Vincentian community.[1]
The chapel was built in the form of a cross composed of the
The architectural style of the chapel is a fusion and adaptation of ancient forms. The exterior was done in the
- St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans
- St. Dominic, O.P., holding a book
- St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists, with a monstrance
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist, monk and spiritual writer
- St. Simon Stock, O.Carm, initiator of the scapular devotion
- St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, C.P.[5]
The tabernacle is not marble, as is commonly used, but made of white onyx. The crucifix has the body of Jesus in ivory-colored linden wood, which stands out from the darker tones of the zebrawood cross, with its edging and trim done in sheet copper.[5]
Tower
The complex includes a tower that dominates the front of the main building and which features the
References
- ^ a b "A Center for Renewal and Spiritual Growth". Mary Immaculate Center. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- ^ "Weekly listing". National Park Service.
- ^ "Rev. Joseph A. Skelly, C.M., Our Founder". The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d "About the Retreat Center". Mary Immaculate Center. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Chapel". Mary Immaculate Center. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- ^ Ilnytzky, Ula. "New book highlights work of Art Deco muralist Hildreth Meiere". The Post and Courier. Associated Press. Retrieved 31 March 2015.