The Brescia House at Chatfield College’s St. Martin campus is ready to serve the community and honor the mission of the Brown County Ursuline Sisters in a new way.

“Brescia was a residence for the sisters from the early 1980s until recently,” explained John Tafaro, Chatfield president. “The remaining sisters that had been there have moved into assisted living, so we are ready to open the next chapter of service for the Brescia House.” |

Chatfield acquired all buildings and land from the Ursuline Sisters in 2017. The Sisters founded the Ursuline Teacher Training Institute to provide a quality liberal arts education to women joining the Ursuline community. In 1971, the public was admitted and the school was renamed Chatfield College in honor of Sister Julia Chatfield. Today, the college continues the Ursuline tradition of education at both the St. Martin campus in rural Brown County, and the Cincinnati location in Over-the-Rhine.

“We want it to be used in a way that’s consistent with our legacy and charism,” said Ursuline Sister Patricia Homan, vice-president of mission and identity at Chatfield. “The college understands our heritage, history and legacy. Things are good hands.”

“Long term we may want to use it for college purposes so it’s not for sale, but right now it is available for lease for something that is consistent with the mission of Chatfield,” said Tafaro.

The fully accessible building has 16 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and two guest suites on one floor, as well as a fireplace, a commercial kitchen, and generous parking. Tafaro said that there are any number of possible uses for the building, including a hospice, senior living or retreat house.

“There is a chapel there, as well, so a religious community would be a wonderful tenant. An order of priests or sisters that are looking for a place would fit in wonderfully to our community,” Tafaro said, noting that the building would be available to all faiths.

He added that the spiritual nature of the St. Martin campus could also help those in need at a difficult time.

“The beauty of the building and our campus would be a lovely place for a hospice, so families would be able to say goodbye to each other in a peaceful and loving way,” Tafaro said.

For more information about leasing Brescia House, contact Tafaro at 513- 875-3344, ext. 120.