History

Vincentian Pathways comprises 8.5 acres of the now 23 acres that are on the National Registry of Historic Districts called Villa San Bernardo in the City of Bedford, Ohio. The property was originally owned by Paul Schneider, who donated a significant portion of it in 1905 to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.   This property became St. Mary Catholic Church located at Union St. and Northfield Rd. Following Mr. Schneider’s  death in 1909, the property was purchased by real estate developer, Mr. Bernard Schatzinger. By 1929 the Schatzinger family had donated the property to the Diocese of Cleveland in response to an appeal by Bishop Joseph Schrembs. He was seeking sites for housing priests and Sisters who were coming to the Diocese to serve immigrant populations. The property was to become the headquarters or Motherhouse for some of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity in Pittsburgh who would be extending their teaching ministry to the Slovak immigrants arriving from Europe to the Cleveland Diocese.

As the young congregation grew the property became the focal point for religious outings and services from various Slovak parishes in Cleveland, Akron, Lorain and Youngstown. Eventually a Shrine was erected to Our Lady of Levoca to honor Mary the mother of Jesus, and familiar devotions from Slovakia were celebrated throughout the summer months for hundreds of families every weekend.

In addition to their teaching ministries in elementary parish schools, the Sisters eventually provided secondary education for girls at Lumen Cordium High School which was built on the property. Other ministries were embraced as well during the decades of the 20th century often involving various uses of the property. Changes in school age demographics in the surrounding southeast suburbs led to the closing of Lumen Cordium in 1987. By 1991 the high school building had been reconfigured to become Light of Hearts Villa, an assisted living facility for senior citizens.

The Sisters themselves also experienced diminishing membership that necessitated their merger with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 2004, and the Motherhouse building became a retirement center for the Sisters living in the Bedford area. Eventually it became clear that the property was no longer needed, and it was subsequently purchased by the Testa Companies who reconfigured and added physical extensions to that building. It is now home to senior citizens living in 59 independent apartment units.

Throughout all these transitions over the decades the natural beauty of the 8.5 acres of green space continued to provide a place of refreshment. Lush foliage, walking paths, a natural lake, and terraced garden areas are embraced by sloping hillsides tucked away between Broadway Avenue and Union Street. Visitors are still astounded to discover this place of quiet serenity. Despite the loving care for it provided by the Sisters over the decades, in recent years nature has created a need for restoration and preservation of this property.

Vincentian Pathways was established for this goal. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, the hope of the Board of Directors is to make this area a place of refreshment and inspiration for future visitors.