Caleb Village - former Ursuline Convent and Chapel (Chatham, Ontario)

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The Roman Catholic Ursuline order arrived in Chatham in 1860 and constructed a 3 1/2 storey Italianate/Second Empire style motherhouse in 1867. Named "The Pines" for the impressive row of pine trees planted in front of the property, the building was also home to a girl's school which subsequently became Ursuline College.

A new residence and chapel in the modernist style were built to the north of the original building between 1958 and 1962. Designed by internationally renowned Chatham architect Joe Storey (1923-1975) the chapel, appearing like a delicate white crown, is of particular interest.

In 2000 the remaining Ursuline sisters moved to a new smaller residence constructed off site and the original convent/school and the new residence were redeveloped. Opened in 2008, the Caleb Village Christian Retirement Community offers 120 suites for the elderly. The development retains the outside facade of the original building and there is movement to designate the chapel as a heritage building.