Gruenwald Convent

Address: Built: 1854

History: The Gruenwald Convent is a historic former Roman Catholic convent located approximately 0.5 miles south of of Cassella The convent was built in 1854. It is one of six convents that were built by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood Under the leadership of Francis de Sales Brunner and one of only two that remain without significant alterations.

Patterned after the monasteries that had housed the order's members in Europe, these convents were some of the most prominent buildings in the region — surrounded by small frame houses, these brick structures resembled fortresses.

The Gruenwald Convent is a two-and-a-half story structure is significantly smaller than some of the other convents of the region; for example, the Maria Stein Convent is a complex of seventeen buildings, some of which are much larger than the Gruenwald Convent. After the Gruenwald Convent ceased to be used for its original purpose, it was converted into a typical residence; consequently, it is also known as the "McDowell House".