Our Heritage

CARRYING ON A CENTURY-LONG MISSION OF SERVICE

Our care team is dedicated to continuing to provide quality, compassionate personal care in the Christian tradition, as has been provided on this site for more than 50 years. Mt. Assisi Place was originally founded as Marian Hall Home in 1970 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, marking an expansion of the Sisters’ ministry work to include both education and elder care.

The Sisters came to the United States from Europe in 1913 to establish schools for the children of Eastern European immigrants. After living and working at St. Gabriel Parish on Pittsburgh’s North Side for many years, the Sisters purchased the Mount Assisi property and broke ground in 1926 for construction of a motherhouse, which opened in 1928.

A high school building — the center section of our building — was added in 1938 to accommodate the growing Mount Assisi Academy, an all-girls school that closed in 1978. To this day, it is lovingly referred to by graduates as “The Mount.” We are happy to have among our residents several family members of Mount Assisi grads, as well as three alums on staff.

The final addition to the property — added in 1968 — houses our main reception area, Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Marian Hall and our main dining room.

Facing decreasing numbers due to aging, the School Sisters in St. Francis sold the property in 2019 to our current management team, and the facility is now known as Mt. Assisi Place.

While Mt. Assisi Place is no longer affiliated with the Sisters, we are proud to carry forward their century-long tradition of compassionate care. We have 12 retired School Sisters in residence, and many artifacts of their time here are on display throughout the building. The Sisters also continue to coordinate Masses in our chapel.

St. Clare Garden was dedicated in 2013.

St. Clare Garden was dedicated in 2013.

The cornerstone at our main entrance, marking the addition completed in 1968.

The cornerstone at our main entrance, marking the addition completed in 1968.

Mother Anselma Draab, former provincial minister of the School Sisters of St. Francis, breaks ground for construction of Marian Hall in 1968.

The first student orchestra of Mount Assisi Academy in 1929.

The entrance to our driveway as it looked in 1967.