our history

The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh is a monastic community of women that traces its roots back over 1500 years to its fifth century founder, St. Benedict of Nursia, Italy and his twin sister, St. Scholastica.

The first Benedictine Sisters who traveled to the America came from St. Walburg’s Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria. From this ninth century Abbey, Sister Benedicta Riepp and her two companions established the original branch of the Benedictine Sisters in America in 1852. The first Benedictine Sisters' Monastery was located in St. Mary’s, Elk County.

The early Benedictine pioneer women came to teach immigrant German children on the farms and in the villages of the United States in the 1850’s. Under the leadership of Mother Adelgunda Feldmann, the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh were established in 1870 in Carrolltown, PA. Like their original foremothers, these women spread throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and Ohio, educating children and bringing the Gospel message to their families. Upon their arrival on the Northside of Pittsburgh, this religious community founded the Motherhouse on Canal Street. The School they started was especially known for teaching fine arts, primarily music, painting, and needlework. The Sisters were also asked to operate St. Mary’s Commercial High School on the Northside.

When the Benedictine Sisters moved to their present location in Ross Township, they opened Mount St. Mary’s High School for Girls to meet the educational needs of young women. This evolved into the secondary high school of St. Benedict Academy which they owned and operated until 1985.

As they moved from educational institutions into human and social services, their commitment to their charism and mission continued to guide them.

These women of St. Benedict continue to be faithful to his rule and the Gospel values through their devotion to prayer, community and ministry. They reach out to the people in the community-at-large by their involvement in: social services; care of the aged; education; counseling; pastoral ministry; daycare; visual arts; administration; hospital ministry; foster parenting; tutoring; nursing; peace and justice advocacy; and spiritual direction.

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