History

Located in the Barry Square neighborhood of Hartford’s south end, the Jubilee House facility was built in 1962 to house the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught at St. Augustine School. Designed by architects Russell Gibson von Dohlen, the building was designed around a central courtyard with a garden and reflecting pool. From 1980 to 1995, the building was owned by the Connecticut State Department of Mental Retardation. In 1995, the residents were moved to smaller facilities and the building was left vacant.

Led by founding director Sr. Maris Stella Hickey, CSJ, the Sisters of St. Joseph then sought to re-obtain the use of the building as a community center. In November 1996 the Sisters leased the building from the City of Hartford, which had taken possession from the State. The Sisters then undertook the enormous task of raising funds to renovate and reopen it. Seed money of $20,000 grew to the $300,000 needed for the renovation, and Jubilee House opened as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in October 1997.

Founding Director

When Sister Maris Stella Hickey toured the red-brick building at 40 Clifford Street in 1995, she saw to her dismay a facility that had fallen into complete disrepair, both inside and out. But she also saw an opportunity to create a community center in the south end of Hartford.

"It really did look like an abandoned building, but at the same time it had so much potential," she said. "It was built in 1962 as a residence for our sisters who taught at St. Augustine School, and it really is a beautiful building."

In 1980, after the parish sold the property to the State of Connecticut, it was used as a group home for adults until 1995. That was the year that Sr. Maris Stella was on sabbatical from her position as Executive Director of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. "I was looking for a new ministry, and the principal of St. Augustine School asked me if I thought we could make the convent into a community center. I was so happy to have an opportunity to do something for the city that I said yes immediately."

Sr. Maris Stella grew up in Hartford, a short distance from what has since become Jubilee House, and attended St. Augustine School in the days when it had a thousand students. After graduating from Mount Saint Joseph Academy and entering the Sisters of St. Joseph, she completed her college and graduate studies. She taught at South Catholic High School in its early days before leaving for Rome to work for six years at the international center of the Sisters of St. Joseph there. After traveling for many years as part of her work, she found the idea of coming back to Hartford a very appealing one.

Today Jubilee House is a place of bustling activity, providing a welcoming environment for a variety of programs and gatherings. Sr. Maris Stella is enthusiastic about its role in the south end: "It's exciting to have so many things going on for the benefit of the people of Hartford."

Jubilee House is always looking for new ways to respond to the needs of the city and its people and warmly welcomes old friends and new to visit the former convent.