More than 20 seminarians moved into Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s new campus adjacent to Gwynedd Mercy University’s campus on Wednesday morning, Mainline Media News reported.

Negotiations to relocate the seminary date back to 2020. In 2021, an agreement of sale was signed which included roughly 15 acres of space on the campus’s north border as well as two existing buildings.

Large-scale renovations have been completed and the campus includes classrooms equipped with smart boards as well as a main chapel, cafeteria, rectory and a library. Stained glass windows, murals and statues, among other items, were transplanted from the old buildings to the new buildings, the article said.

Background on the relocation

In 2016, former Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. accepted a recommendation from the Seminary Board of Trustees to sell the entire seminary property and explore options to partner with a local Catholic college.  At that time, discussions began with several Catholic universities including Gwynedd Mercy University.  The seminary began discussions with potential buyers for its property, which resulted in the sale of the campus to Main Line Health in May, 2019.  In late 2020, the seminary signed a letter of intent with Gwynedd Mercy University to explore the possibility of purchasing a portion of the Gwynedd Valley property. On April 19, 2021, Saint Charles Seminary and Gwynedd Mercy University signed an agreement of sale and September 27, 2022, the Lower Gwynedd Board of Supervisors approved the seminary’s land development plan.

Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 180 years.  In August 2022, the seminary reported an overall enrollment of 133 seminarians.  Saint Charles’ seminarian population is becoming increasingly diverse with approximately 31% of its students now coming from Asian, Latino, or African countries or nationalities. Of the 29 new seminarians, 11 are seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and there are a total of 68 seminarians for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia studying at St. Charles. With the generosity of many, these young seminarians are able to successfully transform into the compassionate and loyal priests and inspiring leaders of tomorrow’s Church.