Byzantine monastery in Howland is up for sale

The monastery is too big for the seven nuns.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

HOWLAND — Downsizing is a way of life these days, and sometimes it affects places that might not readily come to mind.

Queen of Heaven Monastery, 8640 Squires Lane N.E., home to a Byzantine rite of Benedictine Sisters, is for sale.

Sister Margaret Mary, prioress, confirmed the sale and added that there are interested buyers.

“We want to be good stewards of what we own,” she said. And because of that, the decision was made to sell the monastery that the order built 38 years ago. The nuns moved into the monastery in December 1969.

Sister Margaret Mary said the order has seven nuns at the monastery; the highest number had been 16. “We’re facing what so many others are: the lack of vocations,” she said.

The prioress noted that this order of Benedictines is the only independent Byzantine rite in the world. The order is in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, but not governed or financed by the archdiocese.

The monastery has hosted private retreats and spirituality days. But the building and grounds are simply too big and not cost-efficient for the order.

Sister Margaret Mary said the property is 10.2 acres. The main building, the monastery, has 25 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms, along with a wing that houses a chapel. The main building also has a dining room, commercial-style kitchen, recreation area, offices, library and storage.

There’s also another small building on the property, Sister Margaret Mary said, and noted it was once used as an early-learning center and after-school program.

The property, which features five front lots facing Squires Lane, is located across from Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital. The property is zoned R-1 for single-family homes, schools, churches or institutions such as nursing homes and assisted living.

Mark Zuppo, township zoning administrator, said there have been inquiries about using it for assisted living.

Sister Margaret Mary said the age range of the nuns is 69 to the 90s, with the median age being 75. “Only one sister is working full time and two others part time,” she said. “We will take care of the sisters all their lives.”

The prioress said once the monastery is sold, the nuns plan to move into apartments.

“It did take us four to five years to discern what to do,” said Sister Margaret Mary, who was elected prioress in 1997. It went for sale a few months ago.

“We are women of faith. We are women of the church. We’re trusting in God to guide us,” she said. “We have faith that God is directing us.”

XTrumbull staff writer Tim Yovich contributed to this story.