• Where We Work
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois (Chicago Area)
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Northern Rockies
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee (Chattanooga)
  • Texas
  • The Caribbean
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

A Turn-of-the-Century Convent Opens Its Doors to Conservation

Tom Gravel, TPL New Jersey field representative, tours the grounds at Mount Saint John Convent in Mendham Township. Photo: Marni Horwitz

A Turn-of-the-Century Convent Opens Its Doors to Conservation

Many have sought retreat and solitude in the Highlands of northwest New Jersey. Some have made it a permanent part of life. For more than 80 years, the Sisters of Saint John the Baptist have done just that at their convent in Mendham Township, where they serve the poor, educate the young, and tend to the needs of the broader community in other ways. In about a year, their good works will continue, but their address will change, opening the door for a tremendous conservation opportunity.

"When the sisters decided to sell the property, we knew the time to protect these 144 acres had come," said Rich Hehmeyer, TPL senior project manager for the New Jersey Highlands. TPL was originally alerted by Conservation Resources, Inc., which has served as open space adviser to Mendham Township on this project. The town has been interested in preserving the property for the past several years and will ultimately manage the open space portion of the property as a new local park.

The property is the site of Mount Saint John convent, originally a mansion built in 1906. The sisters bought the building and some of the surrounding land when it was sold at an auction in 1926 and later added two wings to the building to house an orphanage and school.

The orphanage closed in 1937, and the school closed in 1992. As the number of sisters living at the convent declined, the sale of the property became inevitable.

Including the convent and the former school,  Mount Saint John convent includes 144 acres of land.  Photo: Robert Sciarring, Courtesy of the Newark Star-Ledger.

The sisters have received offers from developers, but they are willing to sell to TPL for a competitive price. Following the sale, the sisters will relocate to other Baptistine facilities. "Without The Trust for Public Land, this would not have happened," said Mayor Richard Krieg, stressing that the purchase is a top priority for the Mendham Township.

Working closely with the town, TPL will divide the land and sell the approximately 90,000 square feet of building space, including the convent and school building. The town plans to make the existing athletic fields available to the public and offer access to the significant open space surrounding the buildings.

"A chance to buy a property like this comes along once in a lifetime," said Hehmeyer. "We are so grateful that the Sisters of Saint John the Baptist are willing to sell the land for conservation so that future generations can continue to enjoy it."

Posted 10/2006