Gwynedd Mercy University and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary announced today that they recently signed an agreement of sale that will allow the seminary to relocate to the university’s campus in Lower Gwynedd Township. The sale, which will not be finalized until the end of separate due diligence and approval periods, includes approximately 15 acres of space on the northern border of the university’s campus as well as two existing buildings.
The seminary will pay a purchase price of $10 million, which will be supplemented by a $3 million gift to Gwynedd Mercy University from the Maguire Foundation.
“The Saint Charles Seminary community is thrilled to have found such a wonderful new home, and grateful for the generous support of The Maguire Foundation in making this transaction possible,” said Bishop Timothy C. Senior, the Seminary’s Rector. “While there are mixed emotions involved with departing from Overbrook after many years, Gwynedd Mercy University’s campus offers a beautiful setting and the perfect location for us. We anticipate being able to welcome our community to its new home for the 2024-25 academic year.”
The effort to relocate the seminary goes back to 2016 when 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. Initially, the seminary focused on relocating to Neumann University, however that plan did not move forward and it then began exploring other possibilities. Main Line Health purchased the seminary’s property in May 2019 and just over a year later, the seminary signed a letter of intent with Gwynedd Mercy University to explore the possibility of purchasing a portion of the Gwynedd Valley property.
“When Bishop Senior approached us in December 2019 about relocating to a portion of our campus, we were excited about the possibilities of bringing two well-respected Catholic institutions of higher education together in one location,” said Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD, president of Gwynedd Mercy University. “We also are honored and grateful that The Maguire Foundation wants to support this exciting initiative. The Maguires are faithful supporters of Catholic higher education and have been steadfast and generous friends to Gwynedd Mercy University. I am so grateful for their continued support.”
With the successful completion of the transaction, Gwynedd Mercy University and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will remain two separate and distinct institutions. Each will continue to maintain its own governance structure, academic freedom, and ability to offer programming consistent with their missions and core values.
Once the transaction closes, the seminary will begin the building and renovation process to shape the new location for its needs. Plans call for the construction of a new chapel and student life center which will include a refectory, classrooms, library, administrative offices, fitness center, and additional housing for seminarians and resident faculty.
As a part of Gwynedd Mercy University’s campus master plan, the residential housing and campus ministry functions currently located in existing buildings will be transitioned to other areas of campus.
The estimated time for the campus transition to be completed is approximately two to three years provided all conditions are met.