Maryvale, the Provincial headquarters of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation in the United States, grew out of a dire need. The increase in enrollment at St. Catherine School during the fifties and early sixties forced the Sisters to relinquish living quarters and office space for more classroom expansion. Mother Helen Marie, then Provincial Superior, with her sisters, began to look for a suitable location, and to plan for headquarters for the Order. This began to take some momentum in 1962, when Monsignor James Dawson, very much interested in the project, talked about it with many of his friends in Valley City. Through his instrumentality, all were enthusiastic and proved most generous in giving their time and later on, their financial support in the drive organized to give the project a start.
Mr. John Carlisle and Mr. John Gassmann of Valley City spoke to Monsignor Dawson about a beautiful piece of property in the Sheyenne River Valley about three miles northwest of the city.
The 459 acres of land was purchased from the owner, Mr. Arnold Bjornson, and became the property of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation on June 25, 1962.
The architectural plans of Seifert and Stazko of Fargo began to materialize in the ground breaking by Anderson, Guthrie and Carlson, general contractors; of Bismarck, on April 19, 1964. The cornerstone was laid the following June 13. Mr. James Bufferding, then working with Seifert and Stazko, helped much in the architectural design.
Maryvale was occupied in August 1965 by the first total community of twenty-two Sisters for the year 1965-66. Father Roman Dworschak moved to the chaplain quarters at Maryvale in September 1965 and served as devoted Chaplain, until his sudden death on August 8, 1971.
Fifteen high school girls, from various parts of the state, desirous of a Catholic education lived at Maryvale and commuted daily to St. Catherine School in Valley City.
Bishop Leo Dworschak of Fargo officiated at the dedication ceremonies on May 30, 1966. The official Open House observance on June 7 and 8, 1966 was attended by over 1000 people representing several states and foreign countries.
After St. Catherine High School closed in 1969, the facilities of Maryvale have been used by various religious and civic groups.
The Provincial headquarters of the Sisters is a center of education for young women who aspire to the Order. At present Sister Annetta is the provincial administrator of the Maryvale community. The convent is situated in beautiful landscaped grounds which includes gardens, fruit orchards, and a private cemetery lot. The extra acreage is leased to a neighboring farmer as pasture land.
Maryvale is a Sisters' home where the Community members live, work, and pray together to bring the message of Christ to one another and to the people whom they serve.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 320