St. Vincent's 1845 Foundation

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St. Vincent's 1845 Foundation

The convent of St. Vincent de Paul, designed and built by the notable architect Charles B. Today, the St.

Cluskey, began serving Savannah as a residence, an orphanage, and a school in 1845. Vincent's Convent is noted as a historic building in Savannah.

08/19/2026

We’re looking for a few creative minds to join us!

The St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation is looking for volunteers to join our Communications Committee as we continue sharing the history, preservation efforts and mission of the Foundation with our community.

If you have experience or simply a talent for writing, graphic design, social media, photography, marketing or storytelling, we would love to have you involved!

This is a wonderful way to lend your skills to an organization dedicated to preserving an important piece of Savannah and St. Vincent’s history.

Interested in joining us or learning more? Send us a message here on Facebook!

And please share this post with someone you think would be a great fit!

07/09/2026

Renovation Update!

The finish line is in sight!

The major construction work inside the historic St. Vincent’s Convent is now almost complete, and it’s incredible to see these beautiful spaces restored while preserving the character and craftsmanship that make this building so special.

Over the past several months, we’ve watched this project transform from exposed walls and ongoing construction into spaces that once again reflect the beauty and history of the convent. The original heart pine floors have been beautifully refinished, the restored trim and moldings are complete, fresh paint has brightened the interiors, and the historic rooms are beginning to feel alive again.

Only a handful of final punch-list items remain before this phase of restoration is complete.

Every step brings us closer to preserving this remarkable piece of Savannah history for generations to come, and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who has supported this effort.

Thank you for following along on this journey, we can’t wait to share what’s next.

07/06/2026

So, who are we? Here’s a refresher.

The St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation was established to preserve, restore, and reimagine the historic St. Vincent’s Convent, one of Savannah’s most significant architectural and cultural landmarks.

Built in the mid-1800s, the convent has stood for generations as a place of faith, education, and community. Today, our mission is to ensure this remarkable building continues to serve future generations through thoughtful restoration, adaptive reuse, and long-term preservation.

Every project we undertake honors the rich history of the Sisters of Mercy and the countless women whose lives were shaped within these walls, while creating a sustainable future for this treasured landmark.

Through fundraising, community partnerships, advocacy, and stewardship, we’re working to protect not only a beautiful historic building, but an important piece of Savannah’s story.

Thank you for following along as we share restoration updates, celebrate the people behind this mission, and continue preserving the legacy of the St. Vincent’s Convent one chapter at a time.

06/30/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest members to the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation Board of Directors!

We are excited to welcome Scott Crotzer and Bridget McNamara Mayo to the Foundation Board. Their professional expertise, commitment to service, and passion for preserving the legacy of St. Vincent’s Academy will be invaluable as we continue our mission to support the Academy and its future.

Scott Crotzer is a sustainable historic preservationist, historian, and graduate of SCAD specializing in adaptive reuse, preservation planning, and community engagement. As Director of Historic Preservation and Facilities for the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Scott has dedicated his career to preserving Savannah’s historic places through sustainability, education, and meaningful community partnerships.

Bridget McNamara Mayo is a proud Savannah native and St. Vincent’s Academy Class of 2003 alumna. After earning her degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Bridget spent nine years with Tory Burch in New York City, building a career in sales and merchandising. After two decades away, she and her husband, David, have returned home to Savannah, where they are raising their two children, Ella and Colin, who attend St. James Catholic School. Bridget has already demonstrated her dedication to the Academy through her service on the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation Nominating Committee since 2024, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Board.

Please join us in welcoming Scott and Bridget to the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation Board of Directors. We look forward to the leadership, perspective, and enthusiasm they will bring as we continue to advance the mission of the 1845 Foundation.

06/16/2026

1845 Foundation Renovation Update | Week 3

Progress continues!

This week, all electrical work was moved into the walls, and repairs to the ceilings and walls were completed. Interior trim has been delivered, and paint colors were selected, bringing the space one step closer to completion.

Next week, crews will install the trim and prime the walls, ceilings, and millwork. Flooring work is scheduled to begin the following week.

Things are moving right along, and the transformation is already taking shape. Stay tuned for more updates! ✨

06/12/2026

Renovation Update: Week 2

Exciting progress continues inside the historic St. Vincent's Convent building!

This week, crews completed the electrical rough-in work and began the careful process of patching and restoring the original plaster walls and ceilings. It's encouraging to see these spaces starting to take shape, and even the small details are making a big difference.

We're also excited to share that the custom interior trim for the chapel is currently being crafted and is expected to arrive late next week.

Looking ahead, work will continue on plaster restoration throughout most of next week, with interior trim installation scheduled to begin the following week.

Thank you for following along as we preserve and revitalize these cherished spaces. We look forward to sharing more progress soon!

06/10/2026

Honoring the Visionaries Who Started It All!

At our June meeting, the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation Board of Trustees was honored to present a formal proclamation from the Mayor of Savannah recognizing the founders of the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation:
Sr. Mary Jude Walsh
Mr. Tom Coleman
Celeste Coleman Shearouse

Established in 2005, the Foundation was created through the vision, dedication, and perseverance of these remarkable individuals, who recognized the importance of preserving the historic 1845 St. Vincent’s Convent building and ensuring its legacy would endure for generations to come.

Their commitment to historic preservation has helped safeguard one of Savannah’s most treasured landmarks while honoring the rich history, traditions, and mission of the Sisters of Mercy. Today, the impact of their work can still be seen in the continued restoration and preservation efforts taking place throughout the Convent building.

We are deeply grateful for their leadership, foresight, and unwavering dedication to preserving this important piece of Savannah history. Their vision laid the foundation for the work that continues today and will benefit future generations for years to come.

Please join us in celebrating and thanking the founders whose efforts helped make the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation what it is today.

06/07/2026

If you've spent any time around St. Vincent’s Academy, chances are you know Loretto D. Lominack or at the very least, you've seen her welcoming smile, enthusiastic spirit, and unwavering dedication to our community.

At the June Board meeting for the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation, we were honored to recognize Loretto for 21 years of service as a Trustee. A Charter Member of the Foundation Board since its establishment in 2005, Loretto has played an instrumental role in preserving the historic St. Vincent’s Convent and ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.

A proud St. Vincent’s Academy alumna, former Director of Alumni Affairs, Alumnae Events, and Archivist, Loretto has generously shared her time, talent, vision, and leadership for decades. From helping establish beloved traditions like the Tea & Tour and the Nun Run to championing preservation efforts across campus, her impact can be seen and felt throughout the St. Vincent’s community.

As Loretto rotates off the Board, we extend our deepest gratitude for her extraordinary service, dedication, and love for St. Vincent’s. Her contributions have helped preserve not only historic buildings, but also the stories, traditions, and spirit that make this place so special.

Please join us in thanking and celebrating Loretto for all she has done for The 1845 Foundation. 💙

06/02/2026

Renovation Update: Week 1

Exciting things are happening inside the historic St. Vincent's Convent building!

This week marked the beginning of renovations to the chapel, parlor, and hallway spaces, a project made possible through the support of the St. Vincent's 1845 Foundation. The construction team spent the week preparing the spaces and beginning the first phase of improvements.

Over the summer, we'll be sharing weekly updates as these beloved spaces are thoughtfully restored and refreshed while preserving their historic character.

Stay tuned as we follow the transformation from start to finish!

05/21/2026

The future of preserving the legacy of St. Vincent’s Academy starts with all of us. 💙

The St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation is looking for passionate alumnae, parents, friends, and supporters to get involved as we work to preserve and strengthen this special place for generations to come.

We are currently recruiting members for the following committees:

Development Committee – Help identify, plan, and execute fundraising and resource strategies to support the Foundation’s mission.

Communications & Marketing Committee – Assist with social media, marketing, storytelling, branding, and sharing the impact of our work with the community.

Project Evaluation & Management Committee – Help identify, evaluate, and oversee restoration and preservation projects that protect the history and future of St. Vincent’s Academy.

Whether you have experience in fundraising, marketing, project management, preservation, communications, or simply a love for SVA and a desire to give back, we would love to have you involved.

Please email us at [email protected] a short bio on why you're interested. 💙

Address

207 E Liberty Street
Savannah, GA
31401

Website

https://1845foundation.svaga.net/

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