History of the Cornwall-on-Hudson Center

The property that the Grail Center of Cornwall-on-Hudson is now located on was used as a summer residence by the siblings of the prominent Stillman family until almost the mid-twentieth century. A descendant of the family, Chauncy D. Stillman, donated the property to the United States Grail in 1963.

During the first sixteen years of the Cornwall Grail? history, the Center was sometimes managed from one of the Grail centers in New York City, sometimes with a very minimal team living at Cornwall composed of both Grail women and others. Gradually a concern grew on the part of a few Grail members, especially Ann Burke and Jane O?onnell, that Cornwall was a wonderful but underused resource with great potential. Just as the thinking about this was brewing, two dramatic events occurred. In 1978, a fire began one night and traveled under the roof of the ?ig house; by the time it was extinguished the following day, there was major smoke and water damage throughout the house. Though a shock, this damage became an opportunity to recover and renew the house. In this time of renewal, the big house was renamed ?he Phoenix because it was reborn from the ashes. The other major event that occurred was Jane O?onnell? death from cancer in August of 1979. In September of 1979, the dream and inspiration she shared with others was born, beginning the next 25 years of growth of community, outreach, and programs.

Jane? idea had been one of a Metanoia (Greek for ?hange of heart? year of reflection, both personal and communal, deepening the sense of community and mission in the Grail. The form was a core group of Grail members living at Cornwall, and an extended community of East Coast Grail members who joined in the reflection one weekend a month. Several Metanoia years followed with many Grail members from the U.S. and International Grail participating.

We began to see that out of that kind of study and reflection together, we wanted to generate weekend and longer-term residential programs with others. With the strength of a community of purpose and intention we eventually decided it was possible to: manage the Phoenix for ourselves and other groups; explore crucial issues in retreats; hold study days, weekend programs, workshops, and longer-term programs like leadership training programs of three to six months duration; create a Young Women? Network; do anti-racism workshops; and spend several years exploring the new cosmology which profoundly changes our world view and understanding of spirituality. In the intervening years, we have accomplished all of this and more.

After all these years there is still so much potential, so much work to do. As the core team of five women who have staffed the Center for nearly 25 years transition into retirement, we are examining how to sustain the community and mission. We look forward to continuing the work the Grail has done in the United States for over half a century?hat of incarnating the Spirit, of unleashing the creative potential and leadership of women--so that the world may be transformed into a place of peace and justice.