The St. Bernard Academy building, now known as The Offices at Convent Place, has a rich history that dates back to the 1800s. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, the boarding school and convent had many successful years of schooling, and the need for a new location was clear. The building on this nine-acre tract of land on Hillsboro Road opened in 1905. It boasted modern amenities such as steam heat, electric lights and telephones. The addition of a chapel in 1924 included stained glass windows, ornate Carrera marble altarpieces and traditional oak pews.

By the 1980s, school registration was dwindling, and the high school closed its doors in 1989. After the relocation of the Sisters of Mercy, the building fell victim to the elements, and local businessman Charles Jones eventually purchased it. In 2001, The Village Chapel discovered the facility, leased individual spaces throughout and purchased the property in 2015. 

Today, The Offices at Convent Place is a thriving home for The Village Chapel and our unique tenants, some of whom once attended school here. As the building continues to undergo renovations, the floors still creak much like they did decades ago when students and nuns roamed the halls. Although there are no official ties to the Sisters of Mercy today, The Village Chapel aims to uphold the ideals of mercy and Christian service that led to the establishment of the St. Bernard Academy over a century ago.