Our Mission and History

A NEW SEMINARY IS PLANNED

In 1906, Archbishop Moeller considered building new seminary facilities near Cincinnati.  When 14 acres of land in Norwood were gifted to the archdiocese, he decided the archbishop’s residence and the seminary, Mt. St. Mary’s of the West, should be built at that location.

CONSTRUCTION OF ARCHBISHOP’S HOUSE BEGINS

Construction on the archbishop’s house was started around 1909 by renowned Cincinnati architect Samuel Hanniford, also known for designing Music Hall, City Hall, and many homes in the Cincinnati area.

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

In 1911 Archbishop Moeller hosted the closing ceremonies of the 5th National Eucharistic Congress on these grounds. This Eucharistic Congress was held in Cincinnati at the Cathedral, St. Peter in Chains. This event publicly proclaimed to the world the importance of the Real Presence of the Eucharist. This emphasis is still felt strongly today at OLHSC with our commitment to perpetual adoration.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEMINARY

In 1918 construction began on the 180,000 sq. ft. seminary. When this building was constructed, electricity had not yet come to Norwood. And, with the outbreak of World War I, construction took 3-4 times longer to complete, compared to what it would take today.

THE SEMINARIANS ARRIVE

In 1923, 185 seminarians arrived at the newly finished building. Seminarians resided here until 1980 after which they were transferred to what was called St. Gregory’s Seminary in Mt. Washington (which had been the minor seminary for the archdiocese.) When the two seminaries were consolidated, the minor seminary of St. Gregory’s closed and Mt. St. Mary’s of the West became the major seminary , which still operates today in the same location.

BUILDING ABANDONED

After the seminary moved to Mt. Washington, the building sat vacant. The buildings and grounds began to deteriorate and went into incredible disrepair. Pipes froze and broke resulting in ceilings crumbling and falling, floors being destroyed, and rooftops cracking and leaking. This once beautiful, vibrant building was abandoned for 12 years. 

FR. WILHELM SAVES THE BUILDING

In the early 1990’s, a Cincinnati Diocesan priest, Father Richard Wilhelm, was looking for a property to make a retreat center for his brother priests. Father, a 1943 graduate of the seminary, asked the archdiocese whether he could purchase that same, now unused, seminary. Originally valued in the millions of dollars, through his persistence, the archdiocese sold the property to him. To raise the money needed, Fr. Wilhelm used his personal savings from funds he received as a veteran and sold several properties. He even sold a treasured inheritance--an original Wright Brother’s propeller, signed by Orville Wright.  Several other priests joined Fr. Wilhelm in this endeavor.

A RENAISSANCE

As Fr. Wilhelm was deciding how to move forward with his “Monk’s Retreat,” Our Lady was working in the hearts of several priests. One of those priests was Fr. Leroy Smith, who had always had a very deep devotion to Our Lady. 

​Through the leadership of Fr. Wilhelm and Fr. Smith, the former seminary underwent a gradual metamorphosis, slowly regaining its physical and spiritual grandeur.  The old seminary was re-blessed, dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and renamed Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center on May 1, 1993. George Schulhoff, dedicated volunteer and donor, and founder of the Apostles of the Holy Spirit, was instrumental in the naming of the new Center. 

​Fr. Leroy Smith was named the first President of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center and in 1993, a troop of volunteers, many of whom were from the priests’ former parishes, began refurbishing the building. The damage was extensive, and it was a miracle that the right people came at the right time to meet the needs of The Center. It was through the efforts of these original volunteers that the building was able to be restored.

A VIBRANT MARIAN CENTER

Our Mother, Mary, is always pointing us to Her Son and at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center. Eucharistic Adoration continues around the clock. Religious, lay adults and youth, Catholics and non-Catholics, walk through these halls,  meditate in our gardens, pray in the chapels, and feel the presence of Our Lord and Our Lady in their lives. Our hope is that Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center will always exist and fulfill its mission to bring others closer to God, Our Lady and Our Lord, Jesus Christ. We invite you to be part of our story.