The first convent/school, serving what was then St. Boniface Church,
was built in 1882. Both moved into the old church when the new one was
built in 1892. A new convent was built in 1908, to be replaced in 1953
by this spacious building which could house 20 sisters.
In June 1991, the three remaining sisters moved into ST. Mary’s
White House. The convent then became Mary Hall, housing meeting rooms,
Alternative Learning Center, Freedom Plus Recovery Center, and school
art classes. It was purchased by the city of Melrose in December 1998
and given to the Melrose Area Historical Society for use as a museum.
St. Patrick’s Church also had a convent—a large home built by
pioneer resident Peter Pallansch. In 1881 a rectory was built a 6 E 1st
St S (a private home today), and the sisters later moved into it.
