Sadness and joy at plans to turn St. John's convent into affordable housing

An estimated $1.52-million gift from the Presentation Sisters is set to be transformed into affordable housing for St. John's seniors.

The Roman Catholic religious order said Thursday that it isgiving the 160-year-old St. Patrick's Convent to the City of St. John's.

City officials said with $1.8 million from St. John's and $2.4 Million from the province the building will be transformed into 22 affordablehousing units.

• 160-year-old St. Patrick's Convent closing in St. John's

Four members of the teaching order established theconvent on Jan. 10, 1856 in the areathen known asRiverhead, in the city's west end.

Since then more than 200 women, such asSister Patricia Whittle, have called the convent behind St. Patrick's Church their home.

"I'm one of the last sisters to leave. It's a sad occasion but on the other hand this building is going to a very worthy cause so I'm glad of that as well," said Whittle.

She's one of a handful of nuns who lived at the conventuntil this fall whenall of them moved to thePresentation Sisters' main convent, near the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

The sisters initially taught both boys and girls at St. Patrick's Convent School adjacent to the convent,later teaching only girls at the institution, before it closedin 1999.

Need growing 'by leaps and bounds'

"It is truly humbling to receive such a significant gift, we will be forever grateful and we commit to preserving the historical values of the building," said Coun. Jonathan Galgay, who was on hand for Thursday's announcement.

Galgay said that as a child he learned to play piano in the convent and ran amok in its halls.

"If this building survived Councillor Galgay, I'm sure it will stand for a long time for sure," joked Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth.

At present our population of seniors is around 20percent which will grow to 30percent in the coming years.- Ron Ellsworth

Ribbing aside, Ellsworthsaid there is a great need for supportive housing.

"At present our population of seniors is around 20percent which will grow to 30 percent in the coming years so the demand for providing services is growing in leaps and bounds," he said.

"We are committed to providing affordable housing units for seniors in need of a safe and supportive place to call home."

It's expected the building will be ready to accept new residents in about a year.