Convent in St. James Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Manresa House of Retreats

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2015

1. Manresa House of Retreats Marker

Inscription. Since 1931 The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) have operated a retreat house here for the spiritual development of the laity. The grounds and several of the buildings were the site and home of Jefferson College founded for the education of the youth of St. James Parish.

The main building dates from 1842; the President's House and Gate Houses from 1836.

After Jefferson College failed in 1848, Louis Dufau of New Orleans operated the Louisiana College here; this college failed in 1856. In 1859, Valcour Aime purchased the site and erected a chapel in memory of his children. From 1862 - 1864, the Federal Troops occupied the buildings during the Civil War.

In 1864, Mr. Aime donated the properties to The Society of Mary (Marists) who established St. Mary's Jefferson College, which operated until 1927, when it closed.

The Jesuits purchased the properties in 1931 and since that time have conducted retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Each year over 5,000 laypersons, religious and priests make retreats here.

For the Greater Glory of God

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.

Location.

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29° 59.554′ N, 90° 49.24′ W. Marker is in Convent, Louisiana, in St. James Parish. Marker is on State Highway 44, 0.1 miles east of Manresa Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: LA-44, Convent LA 70723, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cabahanoce Plantation (approx. 0.9 miles away); Convent (approx. 1.3 miles away); Judge Poché Plantation House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Site of First Acadian Settlers in Louisiana (approx. 2 miles away); St. Jacques de Cabahanoce (approx. 2.1 miles away); Oak Alley Plantation (approx. 2.8 miles away); Uncle Sam Plantation (approx. 3.1 miles away); James Mather (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Convent.

Also see . . . Manresa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana website. (Submitted on February 26, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Manresa House of Retreats image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2015

2. Manresa House of Retreats

Manresa House Oak Trees (Across the street from retreat) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2015

3. Manresa House Oak Trees (Across the street from retreat)

View of marker looking west on LA-44 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2015

4. View of marker looking west on LA-44

Marker with Retreat Building in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 20, 2015

5. Marker with Retreat Building in background.

Manresa Retreat House in 1969 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, circa 1968

6. Manresa Retreat House in 1969

The former Jefferson College, rebuilt after a fire in 1842.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,081 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 6. submitted on September 15, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.