|
- Suzanne Spalding Schroder: Planting the Seeds
- The Retreat Center Becomes A Reality
- A Legacy of Helping
Since 1960, But Nowhere Near Obsolete.
Suzanne Spalding Schroder: Planting the Seeds
As early as the 1950's, Mrs. Suzanne Spalding Schroder had a dream
and a vision: to establish a retreat center for the people of
Georgia. This dream, combined with her love and generosity, led
her to donate to the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province her own personal home and property, 20 of the most
beautiful acres in Atlanta. Her home became the residence for Jesuit
priests, and the grounds the site for a retreat center.
The Retreat Center Becomes a Reality
On December 18, 1960, a year after Suzanne Schroder’s death, the
newly constructed retreat center was blessed and dedicated as the Suzanne
Spalding Schroder Mermorial that was to be known officially as the
"Ignatius Retreat House". A Donation by the New Orleans Province of $450,000 as well as donations by
Atlantans and others made possible a beautiful two-story brick building housing 49 bedrooms with
private tiled baths, a conference room, a small kitchen and dining area, plus offices.
No permanent dining room or kitchen were built at that time because of the lack of funds and suitable ground space.
In 1999 Phase I of a capital campaign was begun to fund the addition of a
larger dining room, kitchen and other renovations of the original building. Due to the generosity
of donors, construction began in October 2000 and was completed
with a brief blessing ceremony on December 17, 2001 of the "New Ignatius House".
Additional donations in early 2004 helped to create a beautiful patio between the dining and conference rooms at the same time that the
water fountain was upgraded. More book shelves were installed in the conference room which was also given more life. Phase II of the Capital
Campaign provided a separate and larger chapel and will provide new space for offices and bookstore. The new St. Ignatius Chapel was dedicated September 6, 2005, by the recently appointed Archbishop Wilton Gregory.
A Legacy of Helping
Since January 1961, Ignatius Retreat House has been serving the community
of Georgia as well as people from other states as a center for spiritual growth and a place to relax and enjoy peace and quiet. Catholics, other Christians
and those of other faiths come here to renew or deepen their relationship
with God and others, to find greater peace of mind and heart, to enjoy solitude and silence, and to seek renewal of hope
that might have been damaged or destroyed by the struggles in their daily lives.
|
