The Ghent brothers had already founded the Sint-Servatius psychiatric clinic in Venray in 1907. In 1934, the Dutch branch of the Brethren became an independent province, the Maria Province. A private novitiate was set up in which the brothers were trained. Jos Bekkers designed the building complex, which was inaugurated in 1938.
The institute, which existed until 1962, trained around 350 brothers. However, no more novices came, which led to the closure of the novitiate. The space had already become available earlier, and from 1945 the buildings also housed a group of customers from nearby Sint-Servatius. The complex was used from 1962 to care for addicts. This addiction clinic was also closed at the end of 2012.
The building, classified as an urban monument, is characterized by stylized pointed arches. The facade above the monumental entrance is crowned by a cross, while above the entrance is a stylized image of Saint Paschal by Kees Smout. The tower was blown up by the retreating Germans at the end of 1944 and although reconstruction was carried out quickly, the tower was given a different design.
The institute, which existed until 1962, trained around 350 brothers. However, no more novices came, which led to the closure of the novitiate. The space had already become available earlier, and from 1945 the buildings also housed a group of customers from nearby Sint-Servatius. The complex was used from 1962 to care for addicts. This addiction clinic was also closed at the end of 2012.
The building, classified as an urban monument, is characterized by stylized pointed arches. The facade above the monumental entrance is crowned by a cross, while above the entrance is a stylized image of Saint Paschal by Kees Smout. The tower was blown up by the retreating Germans at the end of 1944 and although reconstruction was carried out quickly, the tower was given a different design.
