Affiliation Roman Catholic Year consecrated 1909 Phone +1 716-754-4314 Groundbreaking 1908 | Rite Roman Rite Status Active Construction cost 300,000 USD | |
Location Stella Niagara, Lewiston, New York, United States Leadership Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity Address 4421 Lower River Rd, Stella Niagara, NY 14144, USA District Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Province Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York Similar Center of Renewal Retreat, Academy Park, Town of Lewiston, Village of Lewiston - NY, Niagara Falls Ice Pavilion Profiles | ||
Stella Niagara Education Park is a Roman Catholic elementary school, convent, peace site, and hospitality center located in Stella Niagara, New York, within the small town of Lewiston. The physical address of the site is 4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, New York 14144; and is within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. It was founded in 1908 by members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity who had previously, since 1874, been based in nearby Buffalo, New York. The sisters practice the values of St. Francis by caring for and conserving nature while living humbly. The sisters work to help and teach their community and those in many other countries around the world, such as Chiapas, Mexico, and Tanzania, about the work and teachings of God.
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History
Stella Niagara Education Park originally operated as the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart from 1908-1970. At that time, it was composed of a boarding school for high school girls, as well as a co-educational elementary school. Within the elementary school, the Stella Niagara Cadet School opened in 1935. And, in 1971, a charter was obtained through the New York State Board of Regents for the operation of what is now known as Stella Niagara Education Park.
Administration
Each aspect of Stella Niagara Education Park is administrated and supported, mostly, by the Sisters of St. Francis.
School
The Stella Niagara Education Park School, starting at a Montessori preschool level (for children aged 3-5) and ending with eighth grade, has approximately 250 students. It has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1. The school focuses on teaching their students mentally, physically, and spiritually. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves mentally, not only in school, but also in life. A challenging curriculum is offered to students, which includes many core subjects as well as computers, foreign language, and art. The School also requires the children to take regular physical education, swimming, and dancing classes; and encourages students to participate in school athletics. Spiritually, the School has mandatory religion classes and school masses on religious holidays.
Peace site
As a peace site, the sisters protect and respect all of the nature on the site. They utilize their Franciscan values to preserve and care for the nature that surrounds them, including by creating nature trails and paths, recycling, gardening, and so on.
Hospitality center
The Center of Renewal is the name of the hospitality center on the site. It offers religious and spiritual counseling, as well as group retreats and workshops. This center also cares for many of the ill sisters living in the convent.