Saint Charles Center: Living in a former seminary

By David Eck

ST MARYS DEANERY — Nearly seven months after it was dedicated, Saint Charles Senior Living Community continues to spark interest, and the center welcomed its first lay resident this spring.

Betty Humbert, a native of nearby Celina, moved into the former seminary in April. She has since sold her home in Celina.

COURTESY PHOTO

Betty Humbert reads in her apartment at St. Charles Senior Living Community. Humbert moved into the former Missionaries of the Precious Blood Seminary in April.

Humbert retired from General Telephone after 37 years and then spent another 18 years working at Wal-Mart. She also took care of her mother, who died in 1999.

Saint Charles Senior Living Community is in the former St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, where scores of Missionaries of the Precious Blood priests and Brothers discerned and were formed.

The building, which literally rises from the cornfields as you approach it in the rural northern reaches of the archdiocese, also houses the St. Marys Deanery Center and serves as the Precious Blood’s central house. It is located at the corner of U.S. 127 and Ohio 274.

Of the 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 37 are occupied, and 17 are available. The minimum age requirement for residence at Saint Charles is 55.

Humbert was among the first people to attend an informational meeting about Saint Charles last summer. She knew of the center because she regularly attended Mass there.

For her, moving to Saint Charles sounded appealing.

"No longer do I have to take care of my lawn and do yard work, and this winter I will not have to shovel snow," she said. "At my home, I had to shovel, and it was beginning to get difficult to do that. Here that is all done by the groundskeeper and maintenance man."

She had no qualms about giving up her large house for an apartment with a living/dining room and kitchen. In fact, she was glad to see her house go, she said.

"I did have to downsize from my home to my one-bedroom apartment, but truthfully, I could no longer do all the work to take care of my big house, and I needed to get rid of it," she said. "My apartment is just the right size for me."

With her outgoing personality and energy, she bounds around the building greeting the residents, employees and visitors. She also took on a new job: running the convenience store that was recently opened in the building.

In addition to the convenience and services, Humbert likes the accessibility to daily Mass and the beautiful chapel in the building.

"I could go to Mass every day if I wanted," she said. "The priests and Brothers are an inspiration to me."

Meantime, many people continue to tour the facility.

"We have had a number of groups such as parish councils, businesses and senior groups that have come to take a look," said Precious Blood Sister Martha Bertke, manager of Saint Charles Senior Living Community. "I have given tours to a number of individuals who have wonderful comments about the beautiful facility."

She said people are interested in the concept and how the new endeavor develops.

And what would Humbert say to those thinking of moving to Saint Charles?

"I would tell them to give it great consideration," she said. "It’s a wonderful place."