About Us
The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence manage this historic property as a group retreat center and an independent living facility for seniors.
Our Mission
Animated by the provident love of God and relying on the intercession of Our Mother of Providence, who draws us closer to her Son, Saint Mary of Providence Center is committed to extending the gift of God’s providence and making Jesus known and loved with the attentiveness of our holy patroness. We do this by:
Offering hospitality for retreat groups seeking to experience God’s presence and respond to His invitation to live in union with Him and His plan for their life.
Welcoming seniors who are seeking an affordable faith-based retirement community complete with beautiful apartments in a vibrant community that supports independent living with activities and liturgies that invigorate body, mind and soul.
Providing residents and members of the local community spaces on its historic campus for events and meetings in a serene and peaceful environment.
The Sisters
The Sisters came to the United States in 1913 at the request of Pope Pius X, a long time friend and confidant of St. Guanella. Guanella visited various cities in the United States mostly in the East. He chose to begin the works of the Congregation however in Chicago where the first Sisters ministered to the Italian immigrants and their families. They taught school and later started to build a residential home and school with the focus of caring for the mentally and physically challenged.
The works of the Sisters moved to Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, British Colombia and recently Syracuse, New York.
The Sisters took over the historic Potts Mansion and estate in Chester County in 1948. For many years, they used it to provide housing and care for hundreds children with special needs. Today, St Mary of Providence Center provides affordable housing to seniors capable of living independently, and provides facilities for retreats, group meetings and other family events.
Our Location
The focal point of St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center the historic Potts mansion, known as Langoma, which is a Native American term that means “homestead.” Construction of the mansion was started in 1890 by Joseph Potts, whose family members were local ironmasters. Joseph’s great-great-grandfather was John Potts, the founder of Pottstown.
The home is actually a double mansion, with one side the exact mirror image of the other. One half of the structure was designed to be a home for Joseph and his wife, Mary. The other half was for Joseph’s son, William, and his wife, Mabel. When finished it had 76 rooms, including 22 for the servants, and 22 fireplaces. It was heated by coal, and featured numerous architectural highlights such as Tiffany stained glass windows, “floating” staircases, and fine woodwork detailing.
Unfortunately, Joseph died in 1893 and never had a chance to live in the mansion. William finished the mansion in 1897 and lived there with his mother and his wife.
William died in 1943, and the property eventually went to the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence in 1948. It was originally a training and education center for children with developmental challenges. In 1984, the children were transferred to a Divine Providence Village in Springfield, Delaware County.
Today, St. Mary of Providence Center functions as a retreat facility and provides housing for senior citizens.
Our Campus
Pool Facilities
Due to the condition of the pool and the growing number of maintenance issues needing to be addressed, we’ve been forced to close the facility. Efforts are underway to convert the location into a modern multi-purpose facility capable of addressing the needs of our senior residents, retreat groups, and other activities on our property.