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Maryhill, built on 186 acres of rolling hills and pine forests just northeast of Pineville, has long been a retreat center for the Diocese of Alexandria, and also a Roman Catholic seminary.
Thousands of Louisiana residents have attended retreats at Maryhill over the decades, including those of us that attended Menard Memorial High School senior retreats there.
Now known as the Maryhill Renewal Center, located at 600 Maryhill Road, the facility was founded in 1948 by the Most Reverend Charles P. Greco, Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria.
The two main venues at Maryhill are the Retreat Center on the south side of the lake, and the Youth Center on the northern shore of the lake. Each offer varying accommodations to suit the needs of individual groups.
Many that grew up in CenLA also remember Camp Maryhill and the Knights of Columbus work there supporting the summer camp.
Maryhill is also remembered for its unique "Star of the Sea" ship on the lake, similar in design to the famous British ocean liner RMS Queen Elizabeth operated by Cunard Line. The historic icon known as the "Star" was actually a boathouse that sheltered a fleet of small rowboats at Maryhill, and its doors swung open toward the lake at water level.
Each "vessel" shared many design characteristics, such as the two smoke stack arrangement, and the classic black hull and white upper deck paint scheme. It is pure speculation as to the inspiration of the Star of the Sea.
Bishop Greco, along with volunteers, built the ship, but in later years it fell into disrepair and was finally destroyed.
We're still putting together the story of the "Star of the Sea". If you have any photos or information about the project to share, please email
them to photos@alexandria-louisiana.com,
along with a brief explanation: where, when, who, etc. |
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