Assisi Heights

Date Modified: 01/03/2008 3:36 PM

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Assisi Heights Convent is a three-story Italian Romanesque style building with  a unique red tile roof, beautiful slate floors, a Romanesque ceiling, and German hand-blown stained glass windows. Although Assisi Heights seems to  be ageless, it is actually only about 50 years old. The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, who celebrated their 126th anniversary here this year, purchased a hilltop in northwest Rochester and ground breaking for the Mother house took place in 1952. The landmark in the city was completed in 1955. The order had been headquarted in the Academy of Our Lady of Lourdes, a school built in 1877 which was demolished when Assisi Heights opened.

Today, the convent serves as the home and congregational headquarters of the Rochester Franciscan community. About 125 retired Sisters of Saint Francis reside at the convent.