Province of America

In August 1889, three Sisters of Divine Providence from St. Jean de Bassel set out to start new territory. They embarked on a journey to the United States to work in Kentucky. Barely able to speak English and having no fixed residence, they abandoned themselves to Providence as had the first women sent by John Martin Moye.

Under the patronage of Bishop Maes of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, the Sisters established the first residence and school at the Jones Mansion, located on a hilltop in Newport, KY. This was later named Mt. St. Martin. Expansion of the school and the growing number of young women to enter the convent pushed the sisters to build Our Lady of Providence Academy, Newport, KY in 1909 and St. Anne Convent, Melbourne, KY in 1919.

St. Anne Convent remains the headquarters of the American Province of the Congregation. It is considered “home” to the Sisters of Divine Providence of the American Province no matter where they serve in ministry. It has come to be known as a place of peace and rest by the hundreds who come for retreat and prayer in Moye Spiritual Life Center.