Cenacle To Build New Retreat House
Jun 08, 2008 Filed in: General
Announcements
Members of the Civic Board recently attended an
informational meeting at the Cenacle regarding the
fate of the existing Retreat House. After the
meeting, we invited James Rennert, Province Director
of Development for The Cenacle Sisters, to prepare an
article for our newsletter.
On Thursday evening, April 17, a gathering was held
at the Cenacle Retreat House on Cenacle Road for
friends, neighbors and the Ronkonkoma community at
large. The meeting was to inform those in attendance
about the Cenacle Sisters’ plans to build a new
retreat house.
The existing retreat house was constructed in 1927 on land that was given to the Cenacle Sisters by Maude Adams. Ms. Adams was a stage actress at the turn of the century, and was considered the most notable actress of her time, introducing Peter Pan to worldwide audiences. After her performance on Broadway she would stay at the Cenacle Sisters’ retreat house on Riverside Drive in New York City. In gratitude for the Sisters’ hospitality, she donated her Long Island farm to the Cenacle Sisters, where they built a retreat house. The Maude Adams house and gravesite are still on the Cenacle property.
The existing building is currently in need of much maintenance and repair. The costs for maintaining the building have become unmanageable for the Sisters, especially since the number of Sisters available for ministry has declined.
With this reality in mind, the Sisters have decided to tear down the old building and build a new, smaller and greener facility on the footprint of the old building. The new building will be of sustainable design. This will mean that it will be energy efficient in terms of electric, heating and air conditioning usage, will comply with the latest health and safety codes, and will have less of an environmental impact on the pond, wetlands and woodlands that are on the property, as well as on the Ronkonkoma community as a whole. It will also use the latest environmentally-friendly and energy efficient lighting, windows and insulation.
Because the Cenacle is not selling any property, or building on any other area on the property, they will be preserving the open space that includes the pond, wetlands, woodlands and walking trails. Historical areas will also be preserved such as the Maude Adams House and gravesite. For those who know the beauty and contemplative nature of the old building, many items will be reused in the new facility such as statuary, chapel items, furniture and paintings.
During the building phase, the Prayer Enrollment office will be open and operating out of the building at 312 Cenacle Road, and day and evening programs will be held at the Maude Adams house.
The Cenacle Sisters want all to know that they will continue to provide retreats in a peaceful, contemplative space for those who come to the Cenacle for respite in an increasingly busy world.
The existing retreat house was constructed in 1927 on land that was given to the Cenacle Sisters by Maude Adams. Ms. Adams was a stage actress at the turn of the century, and was considered the most notable actress of her time, introducing Peter Pan to worldwide audiences. After her performance on Broadway she would stay at the Cenacle Sisters’ retreat house on Riverside Drive in New York City. In gratitude for the Sisters’ hospitality, she donated her Long Island farm to the Cenacle Sisters, where they built a retreat house. The Maude Adams house and gravesite are still on the Cenacle property.
The existing building is currently in need of much maintenance and repair. The costs for maintaining the building have become unmanageable for the Sisters, especially since the number of Sisters available for ministry has declined.
With this reality in mind, the Sisters have decided to tear down the old building and build a new, smaller and greener facility on the footprint of the old building. The new building will be of sustainable design. This will mean that it will be energy efficient in terms of electric, heating and air conditioning usage, will comply with the latest health and safety codes, and will have less of an environmental impact on the pond, wetlands and woodlands that are on the property, as well as on the Ronkonkoma community as a whole. It will also use the latest environmentally-friendly and energy efficient lighting, windows and insulation.
Because the Cenacle is not selling any property, or building on any other area on the property, they will be preserving the open space that includes the pond, wetlands, woodlands and walking trails. Historical areas will also be preserved such as the Maude Adams House and gravesite. For those who know the beauty and contemplative nature of the old building, many items will be reused in the new facility such as statuary, chapel items, furniture and paintings.
During the building phase, the Prayer Enrollment office will be open and operating out of the building at 312 Cenacle Road, and day and evening programs will be held at the Maude Adams house.
The Cenacle Sisters want all to know that they will continue to provide retreats in a peaceful, contemplative space for those who come to the Cenacle for respite in an increasingly busy world.
- James R. Rennert,
CFRE, Province Director of Development, The Cenacle
Sisters
The Cenacle Retreat House to be demolished.