Contemplate those buff-colored bricks before you. This is the Convent de Bon Secours. It stands as a testament to faith and service in Washington D.C.’s Tenleytown neighborhood.
The Convent de Bon Secours has a rich history. Its story begins far away in France. The Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours was founded in 1824. They dedicated themselves to nursing the sick and dying. This was a revolutionary act for nuns at the time.
The Sisters’ journey brought them to the United States in the 1880s. They arrived in Washington D.C. in 1905. Their mission was to provide healthcare during a typhoid epidemic. They proved invaluable during the Spanish flu outbreak after World War I.
Initially, the Sisters resided in the old rectory at St. Ann’s Church. A permanent home was needed. Construction began on this Italianate style convent between 1927 and 1928. Irish-born architect Maurice F. Moore designed it. The Convent de Bon Secours became the chapter house for the Sisters in Washington D.C.
The Convent de Bon Secours design incorporates several distinct elements. A main dormitory section features a hipped roof. A chapel provided a space for worship. A small arcaded tower adds to the building’s charm. Rear loggias evoke the feel of a Renaissance cloister.
The walls of the Convent de Bon Secours are one foot thick. The roof is covered with variegated green clay tiles. The building’s design reflects its function. The main block resembles a house and served as a residence for the Sisters.
The west wing looks like the apse of a church. It houses the chapel. A small campanile acts as a chimney and joins the two parts of the building. It all harmonizes to reflect the mission of the Bon Secours Sisters.
After World War II, the role of nursing sisters evolved. Nursing became a professional medical career. The need for nursing sisters lessened.
In 1966, the convent ceased operation. The building was sold to the French Embassy. It became the French International School.
From 1975 to 2000, the Oakcrest School occupied the building. Today, plans are underway to renovate and add to the Convent de Bon Secours. It will soon house a women’s study center.
The Convent de Bon Secours received the DC Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Design and Construction in 2014. It’s a designated historic site. It stands as a reminder of the Sisters’ dedication to “good help”.
The Sisters of Bon Secours made a significant impact on healthcare. They established the world’s first recorded formal home health care service. They also created the first day care facility in Baltimore in 1907. This helped working mothers who had no other options for childcare.
The Bon Secours Sisters have a long tradition of innovation. They take risks to grow and extend their mission. They established their first hospital in Baltimore in 1919.
The Bon Secours Health System was formed in 1983. It provides management and resources for Bon Secours healthcare operations. It preserves Jesus’ healing mission. It upholds the Bon Secours’ tradition of quality care.
The Convent de Bon Secours remains a landmark. It represents the Sisters’ commitment to serving others. Their legacy of “good help” continues to inspire.