The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently featured St. Mary by-the-Sea in the Winter 2022 issue of their Preservation magazine.

Written by The Press of Atlantic City - February 10, 2021 - See original article HERE

It wasnít long ago that the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, thought they would lose St. Mary by-the-Sea, their coastal retreat house in Cape May Point, New Jersey, to erosion. But in recent years, the sisters learned that engineering feats such as the design of protective sand dunes meant the property could survive intact for several decades. While that was good news, managing St. Mary- a former hotel built in 1889 and purchased by the order in 1909-had grown difficult, in part because of the sistersí declining numbers. They sought a buyer for the red-roofed building who would preserve the property, rather than redevelop it, and struck an agreement this past fall with the Cape May Point Science Center, a local nonprofit formed by businessman and civic leader Bob Mullock. Sister Karen Dietrich, who oversaw the sale, says it could be finalized in early 2022.

The Science Center will operate out of the house and aims to focus on nature conservation advocacy, education, and research amid a rich marine ecosystem. Dietrich says there will be no significant exterior alterations to the building itself after the handover, and if St. Mary does eventually succumb to erosion, there will be no further development on the property. Itís the sistersí wish that their longstanding center of contemplation and restoration, beloved by the order and Cape May locals alike, ìreturns to nature,î Dietrich explains.