The former motherhouse at Our Lady of the Elms has changed faiths.
The Columbus-based Dominican Sisters of Peace have sold the historic home at 1230 W. Market St. in Akron to Life Gurukula, a Hindu spiritual organization in Richfield that plans to turn the former Catholic nunnery into a spiritual reflection center and retreat.
SVN Summit Commercial Real Estate Advisors, the Akron-Cleveland company that oversaw the transaction, announced the $2.21 million sale Aug. 14.
“There is a natural harmony between the history of this property and the purpose we envision for it,” Gurukula spokesperson Rajiv Sahni said in a prepared statement. “We are honored to continue the property’s mission as a place of retreat, reflection and community.”
Jerry Fiume, managing director at SVN Summit Commercial Real Estate Advisors, said the former motherhouse will continue its legacy of sacred use.
“This property has served generations as a place of reflection, service and spiritual connection,” Fiume noted. “So, when we were presented with a buyer whose vision so closely aligned with that mission, it became clear this was the right fit.”
The Dominican Sisters closed the motherhouse at the end of 2024. The convent once housed nearly 80 nuns, but only 16 sisters lived there during its final months while two others resided in nearby Beda Hall.
Severance was awarded to 22 staff members who had assisted with food service, facilities, wellness, liturgy and administrative roles.
In 1923, the Sisters of St. Dominic purchased Elm Court, the West Market Street mansion of former B.F. Goodrich executive Arthur H. Marks, for use as a new home. Marks wanted $1 million for the 33-acre estate, but he gave the nuns a bargain at $400,000 — complete with furnishings.
The sisters chose the name Our Lady of the Elms for the convent, academy and school.
In 1929, the convent became the motherhouse of an independent community known as the Sisters of St. Dominic of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1929. Nearly 70 nuns transferred to Akron from New Jersey.
Seven congregations, including the Akron community, established the Dominican Sisters of Peace in 2009 with offices in Columbus. The congregations were from Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas and Louisiana.
The closing of the motherhouse did not affect the operations of Our Lady of the Elms School.
“The sale brings an inspiring legacy of presence to a close, and at the same time, opens a new door for people of cultural diversity to educate their young people and pursue a spiritual purpose in mutual respect — ideals that are perfectly aligned with our own aspirations,” said Sister Patricia Twohill, prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, in a news release.
As always, Our Lady of the Elms School will continue to offer girls in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade a “quality college preparatory education,” she pledged.
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hindu group buys former Our Lady of the Elms motherhouse in Akron
Reporting by Mark J. Price, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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