5604 Mission Rd
Conesus, NY 14435
former Saint Michael's Mission Conesus NY · Specialty Property For Sale · 110,000 SF

A Brief History of St. Michael’s Mission At 5604 Mission Road in the town of Conesus, about a 45 minute drive south of Rochester, lies the buildings of what once was a booming seminary for the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) or the Divine Word Fathers, as they are called in the U.S. The land the Mission sits on was originally owned by Bishop McQuaid of the Rochester Diocese. Purchased in 1872, the Bishop used the land to farm and establish a vineyard. The Bishop built a “lake cottage” and established the O-Neh-Da winery, which he founded to produce valid altar wines for his parishes. This vineyard is still in operation today, known now as Eagle’s Crest. Historical Gallery In 1924, The Society of the Divine Word purchased Bishop McQuaid’s land and struggled to make the vineyard function for several years. This Catholic order – founded in the Netherlands – was established with the sole purpose of missionary operations. Over the span of time from 1936 to 1945, the buildings and chapel were constructed by students attending the seminary and some local workers. Up until about 1968, St. Michael’s Mission was used primarily to train missions-bound clergymen in the practical and spiritual skills they would need in the field. The order had a big role in missions efforts in southeast Asia and also South America. In its peak, St. Michael’s was home to 269 students. It is the largest privately-owned building in Livingston County. In addition to being a training center, where young men learned skills such as mechanics, wine making, and farming, the seminary was self-sufficient. The students had a hand in wine making and farming – which included raising cattle, chicken, and pigs among other things. After St. Michael’s shut down its operations, the buildings passed through several hands, including housing the Livonia Jr. High from 1969-1971. At one point the Mission was even home to a holistic health center. In 2001, the current owners, Vision for the Nations Fellowship, acquired the property from another religious organization. Since the acquisition in 2001, Vision for the Nations Fellowship has been actively working toward restoring the buildings so that they can be used to their full capacity. This is a work in progress as it is quite a feat to undertake. At this point approximately two thirds of the buildings are usable. Since 2001, there have been multiple organizations that have used the premises for retreats, conferences and other activities