A Motherhouse Update
A New Home: The Same Foundation
As faithful stewards of their historic campus, the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine have carefully maintained their property for generations. Yet, as the needs of their community evolve, parts of the property no longer fully support their mission or way of life. Challenges such as limited accessibility, the lack of room-to-room climate control to meet individual comfort levels, and the absence of certain modern safety features have led to a thoughtful and prayerful plan for the future. The current layout, particularly the assisted living wing situated in a low-lying area—poses increasing concerns, especially during severe weather events.
To ensure they can remain on their sacred grounds, the Sisters are reimagining their campus through the construction of a new, more efficient Motherhouse. This modern facility will better accommodate the varying stages of aging and enhance the safety, comfort, and communal life of the congregation.
As part of this transition, the Sisters plan to sell their existing Motherhouse and other campus buildings, enabling them to reinvest in a campus design that supports their long-term sustainability and well-being. This next chapter in the life of the congregation honors their enduring legacy while embracing a future rooted in dignity, safety, and continued service to their mission.
A Forward Vision:Why Building New Is the Wisest Investment
The Congregation has carefully explored all possible options. This includes financial and practical considerations to long-term sustainability. After thorough discernment, they have reached a pivotal conclusion: renovating three aging buildings—the 1874 Motherhouse, the historic Villa Flora (built 1898), and the Our Lady of Lourdes Convent (built in the 1960s)—would ultimately be an inefficient use of limited financial resources.
The current buildings were built with particular ministries in mind and to foster communal living for the Congregation. Unfortunately, these structures, as designed, can no longer adequately meet the increasing needs of Sisters.
Building anew offers a cost-effective, future-ready solution, one that honors the Sisters’ mission while ensuring a sustainable and supportive home for the years to come.
Designed for Today:Built for Tomorrow
The new Motherhouse is more than just a building, it’s a thoughtful response to the real needs of today’s Sisters of St. Joseph and the future of their mission.
With updated, energy-efficient infrastructure, this modern structure is designed to ensure safety, sustainability, and significantly lower maintenance costs. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered: the building will be ADA compliant, hurricane-resilient, and purposefully designed to support Sisters who live independently, those who need daily assistance, and all who wish to age in place with dignity and comfort. Above all, it will allow the Sisters to continue their ministries of service and prayer in a space that nurtures both body and spirit.
Designed to support both communal life and individual well-being, the new Motherhouse will offer a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where the Sisters can know, love, and serve in every corner of their home.
A Thoughtful PresenceRespecting the Neighborhood
Just as the Sisters have cared for the people of St. Augustine for generations, they are committed to respecting the surrounding neighborhood. The new building has been intentionally designed to reflect the architectural character of the historic Motherhouse, preserving the visual integrity of the property and blending seamlessly with its surroundings.
To ease traffic concerns, a graceful turnabout will improve flow and prevent backups onto St. George Street. In addition, an attractive water retention pond has been incorporated into the landscape to manage stormwater responsibly, reducing runoff and preventing street flooding during heavy rains.
This project is not just a building, it’s a continuation of the Sisters’ legacy of service, rooted in faith, designed with purpose, and built in harmony with the community they call home.
Mapping Our Mission: A Preview of What’s to Come
As part of our commitment to transparency and open communication, we are pleased to share the proposed site plan with our neighbors and the broader community. We understand that any development can raise questions or concerns, and it is our hope that by making this information readily available, we can offer peace of mind and clarity about the thoughtful planning that has gone into this project.
This plan reflects not only our mission and values but also our deep respect for the surrounding neighborhood. We believe that transparency fosters trust, and we are dedicated to keeping our community informed every step of the way.
Honoring Creation
A Commitment to Restoration & Maintenance
The Sisters of St. Joseph have long embraced their role as nurturers—not only of people, but also of God’s creation. Since the late 1800s, they have lovingly maintained the beauty and integrity of their grounds, preserving green space and nurturing the natural environment as part of their sacred ministry.
To make room for the new Motherhouse, the careful removal of some trees is necessary. This decision has been made with great care and deep respect for the land. The Sisters are working closely with the City of St. Augustine and a certified arborist to ensure that all guidelines are followed and that the natural balance of the property is preserved. Every effort will be made to retain as much of the landscape as possible, and for every tree removed, new trees and native plants will be thoughtfully planted.
The Sisters are committed to restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the campus with sustainable landscaping that honors the historic character of the property while reflecting their ongoing dedication to ecological stewardship. This green, welcoming space will continue to nurture both community and creation for generations to come.
The New Home, Historic SpaceSt. Joseph Academy Building
The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1866, answering a call to serve through education and by teaching the fundamentals of Catholicism. By 1874, they had laid both the spiritual and physical foundations for their life and mission in St. Augustine. That year, they built their Motherhouse, a sacred center of community, ministry, and formation. Shortly after, the Sisters expanded their presence by establishing St. Joseph Academy on the same property, now known as 241 St. George Street.
By 1979, however, the Academy building had aged considerably and could no longer meet the needs of a growing student body. Enrollment had expanded far beyond what the original 19th-century structure could accommodate. Recognizing the need for change, the Sisters made a pivotal decision: they transferred oversight of the Academy to the Diocese of St. Augustine and supported the school’s relocation. The original school building was eventually demolished, and the land was preserved as green space.
Now, more than a century since the Motherhouse was first built, the Sisters face a similar moment of discernment. While the Motherhouse has undergone multiple improvements over the decades, it remains a structure designed for another era. The evolving needs of the Congregation—particularly around accessibility, energy efficiency, and care for aging Sisters—have outgrown what the historic building can provide.
With prayerful planning and a deep sense of stewardship, the Sisters have made a forward-looking decision: to build a new, modern Motherhouse on the site where St. Joseph Academy once stood.
Still Have Questions?
Contact our team with Matthews|DCCM at MDG.planning@dccm.com or at 904-826-1334
Continuing the Spirit of Peace
A Hopeful Future for Sacred Spaces
As the Sisters of St. Joseph prepare to transition into a new, purpose-built Motherhouse, they are also discerning the future of the three historic buildings that have long served as the heart of their mission. Each property—the 1874 Motherhouse, the Villa Flora, and Our Lady of Lourdes Convent—holds deep spiritual and historical significance.
It is the Sisters’ highest priority to ensure these sacred spaces remain places of peace, reflection, and beauty. Currently they are working with the Diocese of St. Augustine and other national Catholic organizations to secure continued use of their properties, in part, as The Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum, the Diocese of St. Augustine Archives, the Sister of St. Joseph Archives, and The St. Joseph Renewal Center.
The Sisters are committed to working with future stewards who will honor the historic and spiritual legacy of the site. Their goal is to protect the integrity of the grounds, maintain the buildings with respect, and ensure the spirit of this sacred space continues to bless the neighborhood and wider community for the next generation. The Sisters aim to do this by working closely with a representative of the Catholic Church who will take responsibility to do so on behalf of the Church and her ministries.
This is not just a transition—it is a commitment to the legacy of care, hospitality, and grace that has defined this corner of St. Augustine for more than 150 years.