With the increase in population in the area and the growth in population of the elementary and high school in the post-World War II era, it became necessary for St Simon Stock parish to build a convent building for the Sisters of Mercy who taught in the school. Land was purchased on Ryer Ave just North of 182nd Street. The building of the St Simon Stock convent building began in 1951 and was completed in April of 1952. The building was built by the Eberhart Construction Company and cost $500,000 to build. The building, once it was completed had living quarters for the 30 Sisters of Mercy who taught in the school.

A ceremony was held on Sunday, May 27th, 1951, for the laying of the cornerstone. Bishop Joseph Donahue, the Vicar General and Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York presided. More than 2,000 people attended the ceremony. Before the laying of the cornerstone a large gathering of altar boys, choir girls, the Holy Name men, the Third Order members and many Carmelites marched in solemn procession from the Priory to the building site. The Honorable Felix A Muldoon acted as the master of ceremonies.

Addresses were given by Fr William Mel Daly the Pastor of St Simon Stock, the Honorable William Drohan. After, Bishop Donahue imparted Solemn Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the parish church.

The Dedication ceremony took place once the building was completed on April 20, 1952. His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman blessed and dedicated the building. Address of welcome were given by Fr William Mel Daly, O.Carm., the Pastor of St Simon Stock and the sermon was given by the Very Rev William Patrick Russell, O.Carm. the Provincial of the Carmelites. Cardinal Spellman praised the Carmelites and the parishioners for making St Simon Stock parish one of the outstanding churches in the Archdiocese of New York. He called the convent: “A monument to the honor and glory of God.”

The pictures below were given to the parish by the son of the builder of the building. They show the development of the building, the laying of the cornerstone ceremony and the dedication. Today the building is rented by a program called “Rising Ground” that helps young adults rise above adversity and become an integral part of the community.