A small white house with the words "The Lighthouse" hanging over its front door can be found just up Main Street heading east in Clarence. This lighthouse is used to help guide people spiritually rather than in a nautical sense.

In 1965 the Sisters of St. Joseph purchased the property at 10324 Main Street from Carl Metzger. Several buildings that had once served as the Metzger family residences sat on this property. The buildings included a main house, a small ranch house, a garage apartment and the small white house now known as "The Lighthouse."

The origins of this particular building however ran a little deeper. It began as a chicken house. Metzger later renovated the building into a residence for him and his wife to use once their children had flown the coop. No pun intended.

The sisters initially purchased the property to build a retirement home for their community. The little white house along with the other buildings on the property were renovated and used as classrooms. The little white house itself became a grade school. In 1983 the school began to serve as a youth center. The building later stood vacant for a few years until Sister Dorothy Feltz, SSJ, got her hands on it.

"I had taken care of our hermitage out in Olcott," said Sister Dorothy, "When that property was sold, I asked if I could turn this into a house where people could just come."

Sister Dorothy primed, painted, and patched cracks. New flooring and carpet was also installed.

"I worked full-time, and at night I would come out here after work," said Sister Dorothy. "I painted this entire place myself." It opened for use in October 1993.

Sister Dorothy serves as the manager and caretaker of the house. She takes care of all the scheduling, maintenance, cleaning, and most of the landscaping herself.

The name "The Lighthouse" was acquired back when it was a youth center.

"It had a lighthouse theme when it was a youth center and the name just stuck with it," recalls Sister Dorothy. Much of the nautical decor has been eliminated over the years. Sister Dorothy prefers butterflies because for many centuries they have been depicted in Christian art as a symbol of the resurrection.

Though the look has changed somewhat, the goal of the house has not. The Lighthouse is a place to go to find God's tower of light which guides people down the right paths. The house is ideal for days of prayer, spiritual exercises or Bible studies.

"We don't really want to advertise it as a retreat house," says Sister Dorothy, "Because then people think they only have to make a retreat here. It's a house that's available for people who want to come to renew themselves or to relax."

The facilities are capable of accommodating groups of up to 20 people for meetings. It is especially inviting for individuals who want to relax in a quiet environment. "If you want, you can come and just be quiet, have solitude and rest," said Sister Dorothy, "Some people are falling apart at the seams and they don't have to come and think they have to make a retreat. They can just come here and be quiet for awhile."

Other groups who have used the facility include parish councils, parish staff, prayer groups and students from a clinical pastoral educational program.

"Use of the house is not limited to any religious denomination," said Sister Dorothy. "That's important to say."

Overnight accommodations are available for up to four or five people. Amenities include central heat, a hot shower, full kitchen, telephone access, new private sleeping quarters and a new oratory for prayer. Its location also offers close proximity to historic Clarence Hollow with all its parks, restaurants and antique shops.

Surrounded by beautiful scenery and available year round, guests can walk and meditate through the ample grounds or take in the daily Mass at the sisters' residence located just behind the facility.

For further information on The Lighthouse call Sister Dorothy Feltz, SSJ at 895-2591. An information slip can be found on the Web site at "www.wnyreligion.net/lighthouse.html.