National Register Listing

Monastery of Our Lady of Charity

a.k.a. House of the Good Shepherd

1900 Montana, San Antonio, TX

The Monastery of Our Lady of Charity is a historic building in San Antonio, Texas. It was built in 1899, and is located in the East End subdivision. It consists of a convent, a monastery, the kitchen, and the dormitory.

The Monastery of Our Lady of Charity (also called the House of the Good Shepherd) was constructed in 1899 in San Antonio's East End subdivision at the far eastern edge of the city limits. It was built to house the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity who arrived in San Antonio from Canada 1897 to establish a facility to care for and educate young, unwed mothers. The order carried out this mission in other American and Canadian cities, and came to San Antonio at the invitation of Bishop John A. Forest. The House of the Good Shepherd was established in the early days of organized social work in San Antonio when such services were provided almost solely by religious-based organizations. Work carried out at the Sisters' facility complemented the services of other Catholic institutions. Women housed and trained at the House of the Good Shepherd had their babies at Santa Rosa Infirmary, and the children were then sent to St. Joseph's Orphanage for care and adoption. The House of the Good Shepherd expanded to include the monastery, dormitory, laundry, classrooms, and ancillary buildings. Today, only the monastery, kitchen (originally called the laundry), and carriage house remain as Contributing buildings. The dormitory was destroyed by fire in April 1998. The monastery (1899) was designed by architect James Murphy, and the kitchen building (and dormitory) (1903) by Leo M.J. Dielmann. Both were noted local architects whose clients included prominent Catholic families and institutions. The monastery is one of the few known remaining examples of Murphy's work. From the late 1940s until 1988, the Sisters operated Our Lady of Victory School on the site. The buildings, which have remained vacant, and are being renovated by the San Antonio Housing Authority and will continue to fulfill their original social service mission as a community Outreach facility for family violence prevention. The Monastery of Our Lady of Charity meets Criterion A (local level) in the area of Social History and Criterion C (local level) in the area of Architecture, with Criterion Consideration A applied. The period of significance extends from 1899 until 1947.
Local significance of the building:
Social History; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

social history architecture
The world's first rodeo was held in Pecos, Texas in 1883. The event included bronco riding, calf roping, and bull riding.
Texas random facts
Bexar County, Texas, holds a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. Native American tribes thrived in the region for centuries before the arrival of European explorers. In 1718, the Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, which became a symbol of Texas' fight for independence. The area came under Mexican control after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place, where a small group of Texan defenders valiantly fought against Mexican forces. Although the defenders ultimately lost, their bravery and sacrifice galvanized the Texan cause. Soon after, the Republic of Texas was established, and Bexar County was officially created in 1837, named after San Antonio de Béxar.

Bexar County played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became part of the United States when Texas joined as the 28th state in 1845. The county saw significant growth with the construction of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the influx of European immigrants. In 1968, HemisFair '68 brought international attention to the county, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and attracting visitors from around the world. Today, Bexar County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, robust military presence, renowned healthcare institutions, and prestigious educational establishments.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Bexar County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The region that would become Bexar County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache.

  • 1718: The Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo, in what is now downtown San Antonio. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the area.

  • 1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the region came under Mexican control.

  • 1836: The Battle of the Alamo took place during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces. Though the defenders were ultimately defeated, their resistance became a symbol of Texas independence.

  • 1837: The Republic of Texas officially established Bexar County, naming it after San Antonio de Béxar, the former Spanish name for the area.

  • 1845: Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.

  • 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Bexar County remained part of the Confederacy.

  • Late 19th-early 20th century: The county saw growth and development with the expansion of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the arrival of European immigrants.

  • 1968: HemisFair '68, a world's fair, was held in San Antonio, bringing national and international attention to the city and the county.