St. Vincent's 1845 Foundation

06/16/2026

1845 Foundation Renovation Update | Week 3

Progress continues!

This week, all electrical work was moved into the walls, and repairs to the ceilings and walls were completed. Interior trim has been delivered, and paint colors were selected, bringing the space one step closer to completion.

Next week, crews will install the trim and prime the walls, ceilings, and millwork. Flooring work is scheduled to begin the following week.

Things are moving right along, and the transformation is already taking shape. Stay tuned for more updates! ✨

06/12/2026

Renovation Update: Week 2

Exciting progress continues inside the historic St. Vincent's Convent building!

This week, crews completed the electrical rough-in work and began the careful process of patching and restoring the original plaster walls and ceilings. It's encouraging to see these spaces starting to take shape, and even the small details are making a big difference.

We're also excited to share that the custom interior trim for the chapel is currently being crafted and is expected to arrive late next week.

Looking ahead, work will continue on plaster restoration throughout most of next week, with interior trim installation scheduled to begin the following week.

Thank you for following along as we preserve and revitalize these cherished spaces. We look forward to sharing more progress soon!

06/10/2026

Honoring the Visionaries Who Started It All!

At our June meeting, the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation Board of Trustees was honored to present a formal proclamation from the Mayor of Savannah recognizing the founders of the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation:
Sr. Mary Jude Walsh
Mr. Tom Coleman
Celeste Coleman Shearouse

Established in 2005, the Foundation was created through the vision, dedication, and perseverance of these remarkable individuals, who recognized the importance of preserving the historic 1845 St. Vincent’s Convent building and ensuring its legacy would endure for generations to come.

Their commitment to historic preservation has helped safeguard one of Savannah’s most treasured landmarks while honoring the rich history, traditions, and mission of the Sisters of Mercy. Today, the impact of their work can still be seen in the continued restoration and preservation efforts taking place throughout the Convent building.

We are deeply grateful for their leadership, foresight, and unwavering dedication to preserving this important piece of Savannah history. Their vision laid the foundation for the work that continues today and will benefit future generations for years to come.

Please join us in celebrating and thanking the founders whose efforts helped make the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation what it is today.

06/07/2026

If you've spent any time around St. Vincent’s Academy, chances are you know Loretto D. Lominack or at the very least, you've seen her welcoming smile, enthusiastic spirit, and unwavering dedication to our community.

At the June Board meeting for the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation, we were honored to recognize Loretto for 21 years of service as a Trustee. A Charter Member of the Foundation Board since its establishment in 2005, Loretto has played an instrumental role in preserving the historic St. Vincent’s Convent and ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.

A proud St. Vincent’s Academy alumna, former Director of Alumni Affairs, Alumnae Events, and Archivist, Loretto has generously shared her time, talent, vision, and leadership for decades. From helping establish beloved traditions like the Tea & Tour and the Nun Run to championing preservation efforts across campus, her impact can be seen and felt throughout the St. Vincent’s community.

As Loretto rotates off the Board, we extend our deepest gratitude for her extraordinary service, dedication, and love for St. Vincent’s. Her contributions have helped preserve not only historic buildings, but also the stories, traditions, and spirit that make this place so special.

Please join us in thanking and celebrating Loretto for all she has done for The 1845 Foundation. 💙

06/02/2026

Renovation Update: Week 1

Exciting things are happening inside the historic St. Vincent's Convent building!

This week marked the beginning of renovations to the chapel, parlor, and hallway spaces, a project made possible through the support of the St. Vincent's 1845 Foundation. The construction team spent the week preparing the spaces and beginning the first phase of improvements.

Over the summer, we'll be sharing weekly updates as these beloved spaces are thoughtfully restored and refreshed while preserving their historic character.

Stay tuned as we follow the transformation from start to finish!

05/21/2026

The future of preserving the legacy of St. Vincent’s Academy starts with all of us. 💙

The St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation is looking for passionate alumnae, parents, friends, and supporters to get involved as we work to preserve and strengthen this special place for generations to come.

We are currently recruiting members for the following committees:

Development Committee – Help identify, plan, and execute fundraising and resource strategies to support the Foundation’s mission.

Communications & Marketing Committee – Assist with social media, marketing, storytelling, branding, and sharing the impact of our work with the community.

Project Evaluation & Management Committee – Help identify, evaluate, and oversee restoration and preservation projects that protect the history and future of St. Vincent’s Academy.

Whether you have experience in fundraising, marketing, project management, preservation, communications, or simply a love for SVA and a desire to give back, we would love to have you involved.

Please email us at [email protected] a short bio on why you're interested. 💙

05/18/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the St. Vincent’s 1845 Foundation Art Raffle! We are thrilled to share that the raffle was a tremendous success, and the funds raised will directly support the restoration and preservation of the convent at St. Vincent’s Academy and its historic legacy.
Congratulations to our raffle winner, Betty Gorman, SVA ’77, and in an incredibly generous act, Betty has chosen to donate the artwork back to St. Vincent’s. We are so grateful for her kindness and continued support of our beloved community. Thank you again to everyone who participated and helped make this such a success.

04/23/2026

Here are a few pictures from the 2026 Nun Run. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, and runners!

04/22/2026

04/16/2026

Thank you to all of our 2026 Nun Run sponsors! We appreciate your support. Also, thanks to the Nun Run Committee and volunteers who have worked very hard to make this year's Nun Run a GREAT success. We hope to see you there this Saturday, April 18, at 8am at Daffin Park. To register, go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Savannah/StVincentNunRun