Built for George W. Owens in 1899, this house had perhaps its longest association as the Convent of Little Sisters of the Poor, a charitable Congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. It has also served as a florist and is presently home to LaScala Italian Restaurant. It has been renovated several times since its construction.
In the 1960’s it was painted white, and was the convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who taught at the Sacred Heart Elementary School behind it, on Abercorn and 38th Street. I went there from 3rd through 5th grades, in the early 1960’s. When the Benedictine Military School was built on Seawright Drive, on what was then Savannah’s Southside, I think in 1964, Sacred Heart School relocated to the old BC building on Bull and 32nd Street, adjacent to Sacred Heart Church and rectory. I went there for 6th through 8th grades.
The original school in 38th Street was torn down and replaced with a plain box-like building that houses a doctor’s office. Sacred Heart School later merged with Cathedral School and became Notre Dame Academy, when declining enrollment threatened the survival of both schools. Notre Dame Academy later closed, and the building on 32nd street is now home to the Susie King Taylor Charter School. Sacred Heart Church is still operating.