Our Community

The early ministries of the Duluth Benedictines were primarily in education and health care.

From 1892-1987 the Sisters staffed 50 schools, ranging from elementary school to college in seven states. Munger Terrace, first home of the Duluth Benedictines, also served as a school.

Even as the Sisters became increasingly involved in the ministry of teaching, they were also expanding health care ministries.

The Sisters built and/or staffed ten hospitals and medical centers throughout Northeastern Minnesota as well as three nursing home facilities and one orphanage.

St. Mary's Hospital 1898

Today St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health Services provides primary care to families in 24 clinics and at St. Mary's Medical Center, the region's largest hospital, with 380 beds and 46 bassinets. It is an acute care tertiary referral center, has an active and growing outpatient and home care program, and employs almost 2,000 people.

The College of St. Scholastica, established as a two-year women's college in 1912, continued to thrive. In 1924 it became a four-year college, and in 1969 it responded to the needs of the region by becoming coeducational. New building construction became the norm on campus. Graduate and accelerated degree programs have been added more recently.

When Stanbrook Hall High School closed in 1967, the Sisters moved their residence and offices from Tower Hall into the now historic building. Major renovation of the upper three floors of Stanbrook took place in the mid-90s. Similar renovation of the ground, first, and second floors was completed in mid-2001 to convert the high school building for monastic use.

The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery have responded to changes in health care by building the Benedictine Health Center in 1980 with intermediate and skilled care and by creating the Benedictine Health System in 1985. The most recent addition to the campus is Westwood, connected to the Benedictine Health Center. Westwood includes both independent and assisted-living apartments for senior citizens.