There is some fantastic news coming out of Cape May Point today.
This Sister’s of Saint Joseph put out a press release announcing that the famous retreat house, St. Mary By The Sea, will not be demolished.
The statement goes on to say; “The Convent of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, and Cape May Point Science Center, Inc. are pleased to announce that they have entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Saint Mary by-the-Sea Retreat House in Cape May Point, New Jersey. It is anticipated that closing will occur in early 2022.”
This is great news since last year the Sisters of Saint Joseph had announced that after their 2021 retreat season they would be returning the land back to mother nature. This would mean that the historic St. Mary By The Sea, which was built in 1889 as the Shoreham Hotel.
The Cape May Point Science Center intend to create an environmental center that will focus on education, research, and advocacy devoted to the conservation, protection and preservation of nature.
For those asking, couldn’t the Cape May Point Science Center sell the property and it be torn down to become houses? The sisters made sure that couldn’t happen.
In the release, they added that the “Deed restrictions safeguarding the ban on any development and a possible return to nature will maintain this property in perpetuity for the benefit of the community at large.”
This is great considering that this still keeps the building for the public benefit no matter what happens down the line.
We were extremely fortunate to document the entire building on the last day it ran as a retreat house.
What made them change their mind about demolishing the building was when professional authorities told them that the building is no longer in imminent danger from the sea.
You can check out the full video tour and an additional drone video below.
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