Buildings History

This series contains historical research materials documenting the acquisition ownership development and preservation of the Motherhouse property of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in OFallon Missouri Included are institutional histories illustrated presentations property research deeds historic maps photographs correspondence and land records tracing the congregations establishment in OFallon following its immigration from Europe and the subsequent growth of the Motherhouse campus from the 1870s through the twenty-first century The materials document the congregations origins in Steinerberg Switzerland Ottmarsheim France and Gurtweil Germany the effects of the Kulturkampf the migration of the Sisters to Belle Prairie Illinois and St Louis Missouri and the founding of the American Motherhouse at OFallon Particular emphasis is placed on the acquisition and development of the Motherhouse property including the history of the OFallon House the adjacent Ahrens family property and successive land purchases that expanded the campus Also included are original and reproduced deeds legal research concerning property ownership annotated historical maps plat maps architectural and campus histories and historic photographs of the OFallon House the H Ahrens residence and saloon and the surrounding community The folder concludes with documentation of the modern redevelopment of portions of the Motherhouse property including Villa Theresa Apartments and the establishment of the Precious Blood Center preserving a continuous record of the congregations physical presence in OFallon from its nineteenth century foundation through the twenty-first century.