Historic structures
Structures remaining from Meyer’s “Fox Hill Villa”
Artesian Well/Water Tower
Remaining structures the original estate include an artesian well and water tower that cost $40,000 to construct and included a pump built in the base of the tower which was considered “state of the art” for its time.
This tower was rumored to be a lookout post during the Prohibition area to warn smugglers of approaching authorities.
Iron Ore Grotto (Sacred Heart Grotto)
In addition to the well, there is also a grotto which it is said that Meyer used to produce Shakespearian plays and was marked on maps as a “Bear den.”
Meyer built the grotto with iron ore from Iron Hill (Todt Hill), the cost of carting the rocks from Todt Hill alone was $10,000. The grotto included a fountain that was fed by a underground stream (until it was later diverted). In 1912, the grotto became the home of a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was donated to Mount Manresa. This location is very popular for retreat pictures as well as a place for contemplation
Gatehouse
The original main entrance of the Meyer Estate was on North Narrows Road, and the
gatehouse was about 20 feet on the left. The Gatekeeper would welcome visitors and direct them to the appropriate building. The hut was converted to the shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs.
Significant Structures of Mount Manresa
The Sacred Heart Chapel
The chapel was originally constructed in 1926. It replaced the small room used in the mansion when the retreat house opened in 1911. There have been many renovations to the original structure, the current structure contains seven stained glassed windows from the original building depicting Jesuit Saints, (Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier, St. Peter Claver, S.J., St. John Francis Regis, S.J., St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine, S.J., St. Peter Canisus, S.J., St. Berchmans, S.J. St. Kostka, S.J., St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, S.J., St. Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J., St. Jogues, S.J,St. Jean de Brebeuf, S.J.)
The stained glass windows are in donated by Fordham Law School’s Solidarity, The Marymount community and alumni, and donated in memory of Thomas F. Cahill, James Dillon, Bartholomew J. O’Conner, Bernard and Mary York.
The beams supporting the roof are adorned with Native American symbols honoring the eight North American Jesuit martyrs who gave their lives trying to convert them.
Shealy Hall
This facility was built in 1925 to accommodate the rapid growth of the retreat movement. The building was designed by the Manhattan architectural firm of Henry H. Braun and could accommodate an additional 43 retreatants in private bedrooms. The building includes a underground passage that was added in 1951 between Sacred Heart Chapel to Shealy Hall, which allows users to travel between the buildings and avoid inclement weather. The door between the chapel and the passage was salvaged from an old frigate and was a gift from Charles Moller in memory of his father, Martin Moller. The inscription reads, “May your passing this way may bring you and them into safe harbor forever.” This passage is also decorated with scenes from Mount Manresa’s staff effort during the Sept 11, 2001 terror attack on NYC.
Michael the Archangel and Virgin Mary Statues
This statue has been guarding the entrance of the property since the beginning of Mount Manresa in 1911. There is a Lady of Fatima Statue on the roadway,
Founders Hall & Men Of Manresa
The Founders Hall building was completed in 1950 and the Men of Manresa building in 1963.
Michael the Archangel and Virgin Mary Statues
This statue has been guarding the entrance of the property since the beginning of Mount Manresa in 1911. There is a Lady of Fatima Statue on the roadway,
The Virgin Mary Statue in front of Shealy Hall, was originally in front of mansion in 1912.
Founders Hall & Men Of Manresa
The Founders Hall building was completed in 1950 and the Men of Manresa building in 1963.
Famous Retreatants and Visitors to Mount Manresa
Marty McHale – NY Yankees pitcher 1913-1916, founder of McHale Company and member of the Securities and Exchange Commision, and sports reporter. Attended 1st retreat for lay persons in 1927 and continued to return to Mount Manresa until his death.
Joyce Kilmer, author who’s works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world. Kilmer, a retreatant at Mount Manresa is remembered for his 1913 poem, “Trees.” A sergeant in the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment, Kilmer was killed in the Second Battle of the Marien in 1918.
Other retreatants include Malcolm Wilson (New York State Governor attended 42 retreats), Thomas Woodlock (editor of the Wall Street Journal), Bird S. Coler (New York City comptroller and Brooklyn Borough President),
Patrick Cardinal Hayes made several trips to Mount Manresa. Most significant was the dedication of Sheely Hall on Oct 11, 1925, and the consecration of the Scared Chapel on July 31, 1926. Cardinal Hayes stated that these structures were “evidence of the permanent foundation of the retreat work.” John Cardinal O’Connor 1986, Archbishop Timothy Dolan visited 2009
Mount Manresa has connections and history with Fordham University and St. Peters College, along with many other schools and organizations. These are documented in detail in the Mount Manresa book by Thomas W. Matteo.
Additional Resources and photos available on www.SaveManresa.org