Assisi Heights stands on a wooded hilltop above northwest Rochester, and its story is inseparable from the story of Mayo Clinic. The Sisters of Saint Francis arrived in Rochester in 1877, and after the 1883 tornado they worked with the Mayo family to open Saint Marys Hospital in 1889. Their motherhouse and spirituality center, set on about 100 acres, is notable for an ornate lobby with slate floors, Italian marble columns and hand-blown stained glass windows. The center offers retreats, programs and outdoor spaces, including Canticle Park, and has offered pre-registered tours with free admission and donations welcome. Visitors find it a peaceful place that adds the spiritual and community dimension to the medical story, especially useful for anyone who wants to understand why a convent and a hospital became so closely linked. Tour schedules have changed over time, so it is best to confirm current offerings. Even a short visit to the grounds can feel restorative, and the views over the city make it a pleasant stop for photographs.
Planning
Tours have been scheduled on set weekday and Saturday afternoons and require pre-registration by phone, so check the Sisters’ visitor page for the current offerings and call ahead. Arrive a little early, wear walking shoes and dress modestly out of respect for a religious community. Outdoor events at Canticle Park depend on the weather. Admission has been free with donations accepted, but confirm current practice. Parking is on site, and the center is a short drive from downtown.
What to expect
A guided look at the lobby and public areas, with a guide explaining the order’s history, architecture and mission. You will hear how the Sisters nursed the injured after the tornado, why they asked Dr. William Worrall Mayo to lead the new hospital and how the order’s work expanded into education and care. The building’s details reward close attention, from the marble to the glass. The atmosphere is quiet and reflective.
Making the most of it
Combine the visit with the Plummer Building and Heritage Hall for the secular side of the story, or with a Mayo family trolley tour that mentions the Sisters. Spend time on the grounds if programs allow, and ask about retreats and quiet days if you are traveling for a longer treatment stay. Visitors of any faith are welcome, and the center values respectful curiosity.
Good to know
The story told here is one of the foundations of modern Rochester. When the 1883 tornado left dozens dead and many injured, the Sisters cared for victims in makeshift hospitals, and the experience convinced both the Sisters and the Mayo doctors that the city needed a permanent hospital. Saint Marys opened in 1889 and became the base from which the Mayo practice grew. Today the order continues programs in spirituality, education and service.
If your visit coincides with a retreat or event, ask whether public areas are available, and please observe quiet hours. The nearby neighborhoods offer pleasant walking, though the hill is steep. Allow a little time to look at the setting as well as the building, because the hilltop position gives views across northwest Rochester and a sense of why the Sisters chose it. Ask your guide about the order’s work in teaching and nursing, which extended well beyond the hospital.
What to expect
The experience
A hilltop motherhouse and spirituality center with pre-registered tours and quiet grounds.
Best time
Daytime in spring to autumn, when the grounds are open and pleasant.
How long
About one hour.
Tips
Pre-register for tours, dress modestly and check current offerings.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors interested in the Sisters’ role in Mayo history.
- Families
- Suitable for older children who can be quiet.
- Couples
- A calm, reflective outing.
- Pair with
- The Plummer Building and a Mayo family trolley tour.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Who are the Sisters of Saint Francis?+
They are the Franciscan sisters who arrived in Rochester in 1877 and helped found Saint Marys Hospital in 1889.
What is notable about the building?+
The lobby has slate floors, Italian marble columns and hand-blown stained glass windows.
Do I need to register for a tour?+
Tours have required pre-registration by phone, so call ahead.
How big is the property?+
The center sits on about 100 acres atop a wooded hill.
Is it open to all visitors?+
Visitors of all backgrounds are welcome, but please respect the religious community and its schedule.