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Bellarmine Hall

Bellarmine Hall, or Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House as it is also known, is truly a special place. Originally built in 1916, the building is located on 80 acres of land that feature nature at its very best. Here one can find peace and quiet alongside the beauty of rolling meadows and majestic trees. It is a perfect example of the type of atmosphere that the Barrington area has sought to preserve. Bellarmine Hall was originally built as a private residence. In 1946 the Jesuits purchased the property and converted it into a retreat, which opened in 1948. Specializing in silent weekend retreats, the house and grounds offer participants the idyllic place to be still, pray and reflect. Bellarmine has a saying that illustrates this idea quite well, “Come to the Quiet.” More than one retreat participant has commented that the beauty of the grounds at Bellarmine has contributed significantly to their experiences there. Father Steve Hurd, S.J., has lived at Bellarmine for the last three years and serves as director. When asked what the advantage is of this particular parcel, he notes that people like to get out and just "be" in nature. “The pace of our lives is driven by human structure,” says Hurd. “We interact in large part with our own creations every day, things such as computers and phones. A natural environment helps us look at what else there is.” Nature announces itself quietly as one enters the grounds.

The main drive is lined with young trees that give way to mighty oaks as one gets closer to the retreat house. “As the property matures, it requires upkeep,” he says, noting that they have begun planting new oak trees that will take the place of the others some day. Two formal gardens with captivating fountains enhance the overall ambiance of the property. Of Bellarmine's 80 sprawling acres, 30 are cleared and mowed; the rest remain in a very rustic, natural state. Hurd points out that a number of deer roam the property as well. “Even in the winter, there is a beauty here, and people will go out and take advantage of the views,” he says. Barrington-area communities have always placed a high value on maintaining a rural feel to the region. It has become renowned as an equestrian community over the years, and all one needs to do is look around to see that maintaining the natural habitat continues to be a priority. An abundance of garden clubs and conservation projects help foster this effort; to that end, Bellarmine Hall fits perfectly into the mix. Hurd appreciates all that has been done in the area to preserve the natural habitat. “It is important to keep these spaces so that we can get to them without it being a task.” Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House is located at 175 West County Line Road in Barrington. The facility holds a variety of retreats and other events throughout the year. For more information, go to www.bellarminehall.org or call 847-381-1261.