History
The property’s true spiritual calling came in 1955 when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace acquired it, renaming the house “Bannan House.” From the 1970s to 2007, the Sisters used the house as a day conference center, providing a place of gathering, reflection, and connection. In 2007, the Bannan House was respectfully demolished to pave the way for the new Peace & Spirituality Center, which was completed in 2008.
Today, the Center continues the legacy of hospitality and peace, a living symbol of the Sisters' enduring commitment to peace through justice.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Washington, the story of the Peace & Spirituality Center is rich with history and heart. It begins in the early 1900s when a sea captain, enamored with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, built a grand home on the property. His travels inspired the home's unique features, including a fireplace mantle sourced from Africa and ship fixtures that captured the adventurous spirit of his voyages.
In the 1920s, the property found new life as a YMCA camp, welcoming families and youth to its serene landscape. By 1945, the land became a treasure to timber magnate Thomas J. Bannan, who made it his vacation retreat. Bannan, known for his work with Western Gear Corporation, a company that produced specialized equipment for heavy industries, cherished the space as a private sanctuary. It even played host to notable guests, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for whom the dock was specially constructed in the 1950s.