It's an end of era for the Marian Center, which will be torn down soon, but the community has a chance to take away a keepsake.
The building stood in St. Francis across from Lake Michigan since the 1900's.
"There's something special about this place," said Sister Charlotte Roost.
For many years the iconic cream brick structure housed St. Mary's Academy. It was used by Cardinal Stritch College at one time. Most recently it was the Marian Center for nonprofits. Sister Charlotte Roost said it's not unusual to see alum hugging the building.
"Some of the St. Mary's grads have come and picked up a few things and it's a very emotional time for them," Roost said.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi were forced to close the building last year when maintenance got too expensive. A fence will go up around the structure soon and it is slated to get torn down shortly after. Contractors will salvage some of the facade.
"Just at this entrance we're going to be keeping the lights, lamps, the metal work above the door the "Knowledge and Virtue United" and I think we're going to be able to get some of the masonry artwork," Roost said.
An assisted living facility will be built in its place for 80 sisters.
"The neat thing about being able to build a new convent here is this is sacred ground for us this is holy ground," Roost said.
Chairs, china, artwork, pots and pans and other things from the building are up for grabs this weekend. Roost said you might have to dig, but there are a lot of memories to many people in the rummage sale.
"They want pieces from St. Mary's Academy and Marian Center because it's been so much a part of their life," Roost said.
The rummage sale is open to the public Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the pole barn.
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