Rosary Hall
Rosary Hall was dedicated in 1879 on the 25th anniversary of Mother Seraphina Staimer’s profession as a sister. This was fitting since Mother Seraphina – the second prioress – visualized, planned, and oversaw the construction of this building. Rosary Hall originally served as the sisters’ novitiate where women preparing to enter the Dominican Order were educated and housed. On this site, there were also classrooms and facilities to care for neighborhood children, orphans, as well as others. At the center of this building is an open-air courtyard known as the Cloister Garden. It is framed by exquisite windowed hallways. The historic Rosary Hall Chapel also is located inside these walls. Rosary Hall currently serves as a residence for sisters. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
REFLECTION: What small effort can you make to create a better world?
Our founding sisters were originally part of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Regensburg, Germany. Noting our heritage, the architecture and design of the Rosary Hall building is inspired by the Holy Cross Convent in Regensburg. There are many beautiful features including the square cloister garden at the center of the building which is an outdoor space with a fountain, foliage and even a few box turtles. The garden is edged by a quadrangle hallway with a 700-foot perimeter. “New York State Historic Site” and “National Register of Historic Places” status was granted in 2007.
Scroll down on this page for a video about Rosary Hall.
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