Known by nearly everyone as The Hermitage, this Eastside landmark is an international, non-denominational, interfaith center started by Father Justin Belitz, O.F.M., in 1984.
Located on East 46th Street in a nicely wooded area that remains relatively untouched by the surrounding growth, The Hermitage is between Emerson and SR 37 and is definitely set apart from the busyness that surrounds it.
I've been familiar with The Hermitage for years, partly through my past involvement with the Center for Attitudinal Healing and partly because of my long-standing interest in meditation and personal growth. While it has changed somewhat over the years, a period of financial crisis a few years ago has seemingly given birth to a more grounded and stable organization that continues to have Father Justin at its core. In fact, if rumor is remotely accurate, it was largely Father Justin's absence that had sent the organization downward financially and he simply brings a spiritual and physical peace to the place that continues to be true.
The Hermitage is right next to a Franciscan residence, though my guess is it is largely utilized by Father Justin and other others and is connected but separate from this public facility.
As you can tell by the photo, The Hermitage is somewhat accessible. It is most certainly not 100% accessible as it has an upstairs area that would simply not be accessible in any way. My experience with the organization has always been that they are open to accommodating to the best of their ability on the ground and main levels of their building. They have ample parking in front of their building - it's mostly smooth, though there's nothing that is marked as accessible. The front entrance does have a concrete ramp - again, I'm definitely not sure I'd call it ADA compliant but it is a solid effort to make an older building accessible. That said, if you're in a wheelchair and wanting to attend programs I'd recommend either having a companion with you or calling ahead to make them aware of your needs.
The Hermitage hosts a variety of programs including meditation groups, Success: Full Living, Silva Method, and Success: Full Relating. Pretty much all classes are small given that the overall capacity is right around 30, though The Hermitage does quite a bit of outreach in the community. They also do rent space to massage therapists, psychotherapists, and anyone else who seems to fit within their vision and mission for the organization.
I'm aware that The Hermitage used to have a labyrinth in their back yard/wooded area, though I'm unaware of this is still the case.
While I'm not as active with The Hermitage as I used to be, every experience I've had has been positive, affirming, and a healing experience. While it is somewhat more challenging in a wheelchair, everyone I've ever met here works hard to be as accommodating as possible and a lot of times accommodation comes down to attitude.
If you're into meditation or find one of their classes appealing, I'd definitely give them a chance. You can also check out their brand new website as soon as Yelp updates to include it. It's MUCH nicer than it used to be and has a wealth of great information on it. read more