St. Mary’s Spiritual Center

St. Mary’s Spiritual Center is located on a one-and-a-half–acre campus bordered by a 4.75-acre city park in this historic district of Seton Hill. The central point of the neighborhood is the Historic Seminary Chapel, the first example of neo-gothic church architecture in the United States. The chapel is the only remaining building of the original seminary complex, which was located on the property from 1791 until 1969. Today, St. Mary’s Seminary is located at 5400 Roland Avenue, in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore City.

The Spiritual Center is currently housed in a Federal-style building constructed in 1896. This building was once the convent for the Sisters of Divine Providence, who staffed the seminary kitchen and maintained the domestic needs of the seminary. Often referred to as a “spiritual oasis” in the midst of a busy and hectic city, the Spiritual Center offers various lectures and programs on the topic of Christian spirituality. Another feature offered by the Center is individual spiritual direction. The Adjunct Staff, all trained Spiritual Directors, are ready to guide and assist individuals on their journey through life and in their quest to deepen their spiritual lives. Founded in 1791 for the formation of priests, St. Mary’s Spiritual Center today continues to work at forming priests, religious women and men, and laity in the area of spirituality and Christian discipleship.

From 1894 until 1969 this historic edifice, built in the classic Federal-style architecture, served as the convent for the Sisters of Divine Providence, who provided food and laundry services for the seminary. Today, the Spiritual Center building provides rooms for spiritual direction, a small conference room, and the office of the Administrator.

The chapel has been remodeled five times in its 200-year history. The last time was in 2012, when it was restored to its design as it looked in 1908 with its original color scheme. Today, it is a versatile space suitable not only for liturgical services but also for retreats, workshops and meetings, and concerts. There are no fixed pews, so the chapel may seat about 200.

The Center does not have an on-site food service, but can arrange for food to be catered in for groups. Likewise, the Center offers coffee & tea service to groups upon request. Groups are not permitted to bring their own food onto the site.

The Center has limited parking on-site. On weekdays there is free parking for two hours on both sides of Paca Street and free parking all day Saturdays and Sundays. A parking lot with a $7.00-per-day charge is located on Paca Street across from the Center.

St. Mary’s Spiritual Center is easily accessible by car and public transportation. The Howard and Centre Street light rail line connecting Pennsylvania Station and Baltimore-Washington International Airport is about two blocks away.

It is our hope that the rich history of this site and the continuing work of the Spiritual Center will be a source for the re-evangelization of the people who visit here. Like hundreds of other women and men who have called this site home for more than 224 years, our visitors can go forth to spread the gospel message and evangelize the world in which they find themselves.