Villa Maria By the Sea Nears Completion

Posted March 27th 2023

If you haven’t driven by 111th Street recently, it’s probably time to plan a visit. Everyone was wondering what the new Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house might look like. It was worth the wait as the beautiful structure nears completion. The sisters like to say, “Times change, names change, but divine providence remains ever constant.” There’s no question that for as much as we loved the house constructed in 1937, it won’t be long before Villa Maria is one of the new iconic sites of Stone Harbor. Many religious retreat houses around the country are in danger of vanishing due to changing demographics. Here in Stone Harbor, the sisters planned a significant undertaking. And, it appears, planned well. This could pave the way for this new retreat house to become a familiar site for many years to come. Ground was broken on this new structure on Sept. 22, 2021. Construction began in earnest and now it is nearing completion. Villa Maria was always famous for its “Nuns’ Beach.” No word if the renovations will now lead the way for “Nuns’ Pool.”