Unlike resorts, which are designed to help you escape life, retreat centers exist to help you engage life in a deeper way. Retreat centers provide spaces for those needing a break from the busyness of the world to rest and reconnect with God, nature and themselves. There are many different types of "retreats" - group or individual, silent or preached, directed or self-guided. 

Yes, Our Lady of the Pines is open to the public year-round! Our Gift Shop is located in the retreat center lobby and is open Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm (hours vary on weekends). Our walking paths and grounds are also open to the public during daylight hours. When you walk the grounds, please stay at least 20 feet away from all other buildings out of respect for the Sisters who live next door and our Hermitage guests. Additionally, we ask that you do not disturb the wildlife that live on the property.    

Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center was officially established in 1962. In 2008, the Sisters of Mercy renewed their commitment to Northwest Ohio and the retreat ministry by engaging in major renovations of the facility. In the summer of 2009, the newly renovated building reopened with the capabilities we have today.

Our building will be 150 years-old in 2024! It was built in 1874 by prominent Fremont jeweler, Lewis Leppelman. The family lived here until the death of Mr. Leppelman in 1886. In 1893, Mr. Charles Green purchased the estate naming it Evergreen Hill, but after just a few short years Mrs. Green got sick and the family left the home for California to seek treatment, leaving the house to stand vacant for many years, drawing in vandals and thieves which resulted in the loss of the beautiful chandeliers. Upon the return of Mrs. Green to good health, the family came back to the property and began to open the house up to the sunshine, restoring the home to its former glory. The Green family sold the house in 1925.

The Sisters of Mercy purchased the estate in 1925 and turned the building into their home for the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate. In 1970, Saint Bernardine Convent was constructed next door to better accommodate the aging Sisters. Several Sisters in the community continued to live at The Pines, overseeing the retreat ministry, until the last moved out in 2008. 

While the Sisters of Mercy is a Catholic organization, you do not need to be Catholic to come to The Pines! We host groups of all different religions and want our retreat center to be welcoming to all faith backgrounds and traditions.  

Our maximum capacity for overnight guests:

• If you are planning for each guest to have his/her own bedroom, the maximum number is 36 (26 Standard Rooms + 10 Select Rooms).

• If guests share bedrooms, but not beds, the maximum number is 47.

• If guests will share beds (i.e. two people in a full bed), the maximum number is 53.

• If both hermitages* are available and are reserved for your group, you may add two more guests to the above numbers. *Please Note: If you use a Hermitage for your group retreat, they will not be able available until 3:00PM (day of arrival) & are to be vacated by 1:00PM (day of departure).

We primarily offer space for groups looking for a place to host their own retreat, as well as providing our own "in-house" retreat programing throughout the year. A list of our programs can be found here and are open to the public for registration. 

Yes! Both our hermitages and Retreat Center are equipped with wireless internet.