May 26th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has approved the sale of the former convent and the former social hall at the Sts. Peter and Paul campus of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Cumberland. Freas Properties will pay $600,000 for the two buildings.

The convent will then be leased to Bishop Walsh Housing for students attending the school. The social hall is targeted to be used for infant care, daycare, after school programs, a computer lab, and similar services using federal and state grants obtained through the YMCA, Bridges to Opportunity, and other local agencies. 

Pastor Father Greg Chervenak says the proceeds from the sale of the two buildings will go to a cemetery endowment fund, with annual proceeds used to maintain five local Catholic cemeteries. The pastor said that will ensure perpetual care, and alleviate a drain of nearly $40,000 per year from collections.

Father Greg says that it's his belief that Archbishop William Lori wants to maintain the actual church building as a Shrine, with Freas Properties agreeing to lease the parking area back to the parish for $1.00 per year. A local group has been seeking to maintain the Shrine because of its religious and historical significance, in addition to being the site of the beginning of many personal faith journeys.