Diocese to sell former orphanage property

1910 structure is on national historic register

Published: January 12, 2008

By Malea Hargett
Editor

Tara Little

St. Joseph Home, built in 1910, has been used for parish and diocesan retreats for the past 10 years. It is located next to the Camp Robinson National Guard Training Area.

Tara Little

St. Joseph Home, built in 1910, has been used for parish and diocesan retreats for the past 10 years. It is located next to the Camp Robinson National Guard Training Area.

The Diocese of Little Rock's administrator is looking for an interested Catholic or group of Catholics who can propose a "serious viable option" for the future of St. Joseph Home in North Little Rock.

Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert made a public appeal to Catholics and the general public who might have an interest in buying the historic building from the diocese. After meeting extensively with the Finance Council and diocesan consultors, Msgr. Hebert said the decision was made to sell the building.

He said his public appeal was the "last chance" to secure a buyer who might have an interest in keeping the Catholic ties to the building. The diocese will hold off selling the building and land until after March 1 to give enough time for interested Catholics to come forward, Msgr. Hebert said.

Bishop John B. Morris bought 720 acres five miles north of Little Rock in 1907 to build a place for children and elderly who had no one to care for them.

The existing St. Joseph Orphanage was built in 1910 to replace a smaller structure on the property to serve local orphans. Benedictines from St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith operated the orphanage until 1978. After the orphanage concept was phased out nationally, the sisters continued to operate a kindergarten and day care for local children until 1997. In December, the two remaining sisters who had continued to live in the building returned to Fort Smith.

Prioress Sister Cabrini Schmitz, OSB, said, "I hope it's not torn down. It's such a landmark. There are still a lot of people living that that was their home. It's sad. It pulls at your heartstrings ... It's such a strong building with thick walls."

Sister Cabrini said she is hopeful a buyer can be found who will respect the building's history.

"I have wondered if some of the residents who made it big in the financial world would want to do something with it," she said.

During World War I, the building and 320 acres were leased to the Belmont Hotel Company to house wives and friends of soldiers from nearby Camp Pike. The nuns and orphans were temporarily moved to Little Rock. The hotel was appreciated for its location and the scenic views it offered of the Arkansas River and Pinnacle Mountain.

The building on Camp Robinson Road was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The four-story, 56,000-square-foot brick and stone building sits on a hill surrounded by 63 acres. Bishop Morris requested the building resemble an Italian-style villa, topped with a cupola. When constructed for $150,000, the building included 80 rooms, an attic and basement. It featured a chapel, classrooms, a kitchen and dining room, bakery and laundry. Eleven private rooms were once reserved for senior citizens.

During the years the orphanage was operated, the sisters and volunteers maintained an extensive farm, rose garden and fruit orchard and raised Holstein cows and hogs.

Currently, portions of the building are used by diocesan and parish groups for their retreats.

The diocese has notified groups that use the building and has not scheduled any events past June.

Msgr. Hebert said the 1910 building needs to be extensively renovated.

"It would take, according to a contractor who studied it, $6,720,000 (to renovate it)," he said.

Msgr. Hebert said the diocese is even having difficulties maintaining the building and land. About $110,000 is spent each year on the building to pay for insurance, utilities, maintenance and repairs.

A fund was established for the building upkeep, but "the fund is now near the bottom," Msgr. Hebert said.

"We can't afford to keep this going," he said.

Msgr. Hebert said he is aware of the importance St. Joseph Orphanage to diocesan history, but he is also responsible for the financial health of the Church.

"Nostalgia is just too expensive a luxury that we can't afford," he said. "There are strong emotional ties because they (former residents) see the goodness of the Benedictine nuns who serviced that place for so many years at so much sacrifice to themselves. ... I have a necessity that I have to take care of. I just can't let the diocese bleed and let the building further deteriorate. ... It must be sold for the good of the diocese."

Msgr. Hebert is aware that the new owner could only be interested in the land and want to tear down the former orphanage, but said, "We'd love to have the building not destroyed."

Msgr. Hebert said the diocese is in the process of selecting a commercial real estate broker. When the company is hired, a sale price will be set.

Msgr. Hebert said he is interested in hearing from buyers who have specific plans about the future of the building and how it would be paid for. Letters should be addressed to him at the Diocese of Little Rock, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.