Bayport-Blue Point Library To Reopen Saturday In A Former Convent

BLUE POINT, NY—The new Bayport-Blue Point Library will open this Saturday, Dec. 16, in a unique and impressive space: the building at 186 Middle Rd. in Blue Point that once housed a small collection of nuns in a convent.

The Catholic Ursuline nuns sold the convent in 2019 as their members aged out of its use. The former Bayport-Blue Point Library, close by on Blue Point Ave., was small and needed upgrading.

The new library is twice and big and retains features from its days as a convent like stained glass windows.

The Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, the small Catholic order based in Queens, established the Blue Point convent in 1935. The order sold the convent in 2019 for $3.65 million as its dwindling membership aged and became unable to reside there, according to Newsday.

The local leader of the order, Sister Joanne Callahan, told Newsday that she was happy to see that the details were preserved.

The new space includes a cafe from Mademoiselle of Patchogue:

"Growing up in Bayport, I never thought I would one day have a bookstore cafe in the Bayport-Blue Point Library...When you walk into the state-of-the-art library facility you will also enjoy the sweet smells of our Mademoiselle Cafe. Stop in, read a book, admire the grounds, or surf the web while enjoying one of our signature croissants and a cup of Malongo Coffee. Our newest member will have a similar menu as our flagship in Patchogue but will also have its own unique treats found in the library."