Fremont retreat center closing

FREMONT — A Fremont-based religious retreat center is closing its doors this summer. Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center, 1250 Tiffin St., announced through a social media post that the property owner, Sisters of Mercy, is not renewing the center's lease. The center's board of trustees was notified on March 26 of the sisters' decision, the post states. Our Lady of the Pines offers a space full of "the spirit of hospitality," according to its website. It offers a place for all "seeking a deeper relationship with God, self, others and all (of) creation." The Sisters of Mercy, a Roman Catholic Church institution, purchased the Tiffin Street property in 1925. The retreat center was established in 1962. The grounds received its most recent renovation in 2008. "Between now and June 30, we will be hosting our guests as usual, welcoming them with true mercy hospitality," the post states. The retreat center's lease is up on June 30, but the trustees will host a celebration of the building and ministry on July 5. Specific details have not been released. Speaking up More than 50 people commented on the social media post as of late Friday. "I am beyond sad to hear this," said Anna Garrison. "The Pines has been such an important place for me to rest and connect with my faith. Thank you for everything." One man called on the Sisters of Mercy to renew the lease. "Hope and prayers that the Sisters of Mercy and/or the Toledo Diocese will see the powerful future of the Pines retreat center and give us renewed life," Art Lowell said. A woman who said she only learned about the retreat center following her sister's death last year was devastated by the news. "I desperately needed a place for healing and I found it at the Pines," Heidi Korkosz said. "Everyone I met there, especially Heidi (Osborne), was so incredibly warm and healing." Osborne is the retreat center's executive director.