From Eichstatt in Bavaria, a small group of Sisters traveled to St. Marys, Pennsylvania, to form the first Benedictine women’s community in the U.S. From this initial foundation in 1852, other communities of Benedictine women in the United States were founded, including ones in Kentucky and Florida. Eight Sisters from each of these two communities came together in 1902 to form the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama.
To learn about our history, please click on the year in the top timeline and the lower timeline will scroll to the corresponding entry.

480 - St. Benedict
St. Benedict, whose monastic rule we follow, was born around 480 AD in Norcia, a town on the Italian peninsula.Read more


01JAN
1035 - St. Walburg Abbey founded
Founding of St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria. St. Walburg Abbey is the great-grandmother house of Sacred Heart Monastery. Read more
01JAN
1852 - Journey to America
From Eichstatt in Bavaria, a small group of Sisters traveled to St. Marys, Pennsylvania, to form the first Benedictine women's community in the U.S.Read more

01JAN
1881 - Tuscumbia
The first Benedictine sisters arrive in Alabama, coming from St. Walburg Monastery in Covington, KY, to Tuscumbia, AL, where they taught in the parish school. Read more
01JAN
1886 - Birmingham
Several Sisters from the Tuscumbia mission were sent to Birmingham, a city just fifteen years old, where they taught in the parochial school at St. Paul Parish. Read more

01JAN
1898 - Cullman
The first Benedictine Sisters arrived in Cullman, traveling from Holy Name Monastery in Florida.Read more


01JAN
1902 - A new community elects a Prioress
Eight Sisters each from the Kentucky and Florida communities united on April 20, 1902, to form a new community, Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama. In July, Sister Ottilia Haas was elected Prioress. Read more

01JAN
1903 - Land purchased for convent
On March 21, 1903, the community purchased 123.5 acres known as "the "Kline Place." Read more

01JAN
1903 - A sturdy structures rises
In October of 1903, ground was broken for the convent building now known as "Ottilia Hall."Read more

01JAN
1911 - Summer school
Two Sisters traveled from Cullman to Washington, D.C., for summer school, beginning an enduring community commitment to strong educational and professional preparation for ministry. Read more
01JAN
1917 - A meeting of early leaders
In 1917, Mother Ottilia traveled to Chicago to assist in planning the establishment of the first congregation of Benedictine Sisters in North America. Read more

01JAN
1920 - A new prioress is elected
Sister Annunciata Janeway was elected to serve as the 2nd Prioress of the community. Read more
01JAN
1922 - A Congregation forms
The Constitution of the Congregation of St. Scholastica was granted approbation in Rome. Read more

02OCT
1922 - The Divine Office
Following Vatican approval of the Constitution of the Congregation of St. Scholastica, the Sisters were allowed to begin praying the Divine Office, which was proper to their Benedictine heritage and spiritual patrimony.Read more


01JAN
1924 - Making room
Construction began on Joseph Hall to accommodate the expanding Academy.Read more


01JAN
1930 - A Monastic Chapel rises
Construction begins on Sacred Heart Monastery Chapel. The first Mass was celebrated in the chapel on June 24, 1931, the Feast of John the Baptist. The chapel was dedicated on October 11, 1931. Read more

01JAN
1933 - Death of a pioneer
Death of Mother Ottilia Haas, the community's first prioress, at the age of 75. She lived long enough to pray the Divine Office and celebrate the Eucharist in the new chapel for a year and a half before her death. Read more


01JAN
1942 - An organ for the chapel
The community purchased its first organ, a four-rank pipe organ, at a cost of $2,751.80. Once installed a glorious concert was held. Sister Mary Vincent remembers attending this concert as a student.Read more


01JAN
1947 - Master educators
The Benedictine Sisters begin what would become almost six decades of service at the newly-opened John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham.Read more


01JAN
1950 - A new convent
Ground was broken in 1950 for a new convent building on the north side of the chapel. Initiation of construction was delayed by the Korean War. On the Feast of St. Gertrude, 1952, the work began.Read more


01JAN
1953 - A new prioress
Mother Mary Susan Sevier elected the third prioress of the community.Read more


1956 - Renewing the chapel
The original plain plaster walls of Sacred Heart Chapel were painted for the first time.Read more

01JAN
1957 - The Divine Office
Mother Mary Susan restored the hours of the Divine Office to their intended times.Read more

01JAN
1958 - Theological education
As part of a Church-wide emphasis on strengthening formation programs in religious communities, the Sisters sent their Novice Director to the University of Notre Dame for theological studies.Read more


1960 - Accommodating growth
To accommodate a growing student population, the community constructed a frame building above Lake Maurus.Read more

1960 - Working by committee
In 1960, need for additional dormitory space led to the creation of a committee to plan for a new dorm.Read more

01JAN
1960 - Spiritual education
The community had long stressed excellent preparation for ministry. It was now beginning to enhance preparation for those involved in leadership roles within the community and formation in the area of spirituality.Read more

1962 - Mother Mary Susan, Congregation President
Mother Mary Susan elected President of the Congregation (now Federation) of St. Scholastica.Read more


01JAN
1965 - Mothr Mary Frances elected prioress
Sister Mary Frances Crawford elected the fourth prioress of Sacred Heart.Read more


01JAN
1966 - Response to Vatican II
The community faithfully responded to the call of Vatican II and Perfectae Caritatis to update their lives.Read more

01JAN
1967 - A changing educational envrionment
The community made the decision to close Sacred Heart Academy.Read more


01JAN
1968 - Renewal in the spirit of St. Benedict
Mother Mary Susan, no longer Prioress but still President of the Congregation of St. Scholastica, led the General Chapters of Renewal which were held in Chicago in 1968 and 1969.Read more


01JAN
1975 - Death of the last pioneer
Sister Perpetua Tape, the last surviving founding member of the community, died on July 6, 1975. Read more

01JAN
1975 - Sr. Patricia Ann elected prioress
Sister Patricia Ann Karibo was elected to serve as the fifth prioress of the community.Read more

01JAN
1976 - Evisioning a retreat ministry
The future Retreat Center begins to take an early shape as a three-Sister team coordinated it's early development.Read more


1977-75th Jubilee Celebration
In 1977, the Community held a grand 75th Jubilee Celebration of the Community. Here pictured are the living Prioresses at the celebration dinner. Sisters Mary Frances Crawford (1965-75), Patricia Ann Karibo (1975-83), and Mary Susan Sevier (1953-65)Read more

01JAN
1979 - Welcoming the stranger
The community sponsored a 13-member refugee family from Vietnam.Read more

01JAN
1980 - Oblate community is formed
In October of 1980, the community enrolled its first class of Oblate Novices.Read more


01JAN
1983 - Benedictine Manor founded
Benedictine Manor began operation as a ministry of the Sisters utilizing the former Janeway Hall.Read more


01JAN
1983 - Sr. Virginia elected prioress
Sister Virginia Rohling was elected as the community's sixth prioress.Read more

01JAN
1988 - New forms of communication
The community embraced new methods of communication with their friends and supporters during this era.Read more

01JAN
1988 - A new Constitution, Call to Life
On February 10, 1988, the Feast of St. Scholastica, the Federation of St. Scholastica's new Constitution, Call to Life, was given final approbation in Rome, signed by the Prefect of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes.Read more


01JAN
1988 - A gift from Louisiana
The community accepted as transfers several Sisters from St. Scholastic Priory in Covington, LA.Read more


01JAN
1989 - New forms of ministry
Throughout this decade, the Sisters expanded the types of ministries in which they were engaged.Read more

01JAN
1990 - Welcoming Benedictines
The community hosted the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses (CBP) for the first time.Read more


01JAN
1990 - From Convent to Monastery
Many years of reflection on their monastic heritage and the Benedicine charism lead the Sisters to officially change the title of the monastery to Sacred Heart Monastery from Sacred Heart Convent.Read more

01JAN
1991 - Sister Treva elected prioress
Sister Treva Heinberg was elected to serve as the seventh prioress of the monastic community.Read more

01JAN
1998 - On the world wide web
In 1998, the Sisters initiated their presence on the internet with their first website.Read more


01JAN
1999 - Sr. Veronica elected prioress
Sister Veronica Ryan was elected to serve as the eight prioress of the community.Read more

01JAN
2002 - Celebrating 100 years
The community opened its centennial celebration on the Feast of St. Scholastica by praying Vespers at Sacred Heart Church in Cullman joined by the monks of St. Bernard Abbey. On April 20, the actual anniversary, Mass was celebrated at St. Paul's Cathedral in Birmingham with a reception following in the Civic Center. Other events throughout the year also marked the occasion.Read more


01JAN
2005 - Sr. Janet Marie elected prioress
Sister Janet Marie Flemming was elected as the ninth prioress of the community.Read more


01JAN
2011 - Renovation
Renovation begins on Ottilia Hall, initiating the first phase of a major three phase project that touched almost every building on the monastery grounds.Read more


01JAN
2013 - A renewed monastic home
The Sisters moved into their new dining room which had previously been an auditorium, and into the newly renovated Ottilia Hall.Read more


01JAN
2014 - A renewed Retreat Center
In late May 2014, the Center moved the main Retreat Center accommodations from the old Mary Hall into the newly constructed Mary and St. Joseph Guest Houses.Read more


2015 - A vision realized
In early 2015, a Blessing and Open House was held to mark the completion of Phase III. A successful Capital Campaign, careful planning, and wise stewardship enabled the community to realize their vision and complete the entire three-phase project with no debt.Read more


01JAN
2015 - Sr. Tonette elected Prioress
Sister Tonette Sperando was elected as the tenth prioress of the community.Read more
