In 1998, members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph’s Church of Wayland, New York, originated the idea to convert the Convent (which had been vacant since 1997) into a home for the terminally ill.

The two-story home was 75 years old and in excellent condition.

A bathroom was constructed on the first floor for the prospective residents, hardwood floors were refurbished, wallpapering and painting were done, mostly by volunteers, to get the house ready. Each room was furnished by volunteers using their imaginations, usually in memory of a family member, or members, they had lost.

On the first floor there are two resident rooms which include sitting rooms, a lovely furnished sun porch which is used year round, a kitchen, the residents’ bathroom, and a chapel where prayer services and memorial services are held, and where anyone can go at any time to pray, meditate, or experience alone time.

Vincent House, which officially opened on December 4, 2000, is staffed by an executive director, a part-time nurse, and several night staff. Our wonderful volunteers cover most of the hours from 8:00 a.m. to midnight in four-hour shifts. They are the lifeblood of the operation. A Board of Directors oversees the operation of Vincent House.