Ignatius Jesuit Centre
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre estate consists of a green belt stretching from the Guelph Lake Conservation Area to the Guelph–Elora Trail. The property is separated into east and west parcels by Highway 6 North. To the west of the highway, the property is over 200 hectares in size: to the east, roughly 40 hectares.
The land exists within the Marden South Wetland Complex — designated “provincially significant” by the Government of Ontario. The land to the east of Highway 6 is managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. The west parcel, consisting of three higher, arable areas accommodates numerous buildings, forestry and agricultural uses.
There is something about this land that invites the experience
of community, life, and God. Truly the land sustains us.
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Land Use
Ecology Programs
Our ecology ministry specializes in restorative agricultural and forestry practices that promote the protection of ecosystems. We endeavor to provide ecologically or spiritually based programs that speak to people of all ethnic background or affiliation.
Loyola House Retreat
A world–renown Jesuit Retreat and Training Centre dedicated to nurturing a deeper spirituality in people, leading to inner freedom and loving service.
Immersed in the serenity and abundant growth of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre land, retreatants walk the grounds prayerfully, making each step, like each breath, a prayer.
Orchard Park Centre
The Orchard Park Business Centre is located on the south–east corner of the estate. The building footprint exceeds 100,000 sq. ft. with 80,000 sq. ft. dedicated to office leasing.
Balancing the stress of a competitive marketplace, office employees make full use of our trails, in-ground pool, and verdant open space.
Land Features
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Marden Creek Wetlands
The Marden Creek runs through approx. 2.5 km of the property, of which two ponds are part of the Creek’s watershed. On the southeast corner of the property, the Marden Creek meets the Speed River, a significant joining of two watersheds that have shaped Guelph’s infrastructure.
Mill Ruins
The attrition of a fieldstone foundation: remnants of a saw mill built in 1833 by the land's original owner, Charles Julius Mickle.
Location: East of Hwy. 6 | South of Marden Creek
Organic Apple Orchards
The most widely recognized feature of our lands are the apple orchards. In total, 10 acres of land are dedicated to growing various apple varieties used for cider, butter, sauce and syrup.
Ignatius Farm
The Ignatius Farm accounts for roughly 150 hectares of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre lands — 36 of which host FarmStart, a program to help young farmers transition to organic farming.
CSA Fields
Perhaps the most well known of all our ecology initiatives, the Community Shared Agriculture program practices sustainable agriculture for the production of healthy, organic food that is readily available while still fresh.
Jesuit Cemetery
The Centre is honoured to be the final resting place of many of Canada’s Jesuit brothers.
Statuary
One of many unique statuary on the property. This marble depiction of Our Lady and infant Jesus is located in the Orchard Park Business Centre courtyard.
Trail System
Over 15 km of trails available for both walking and cross–country skiing. See “Nordic Ski Club” for membership details.
Living Willow Dome
Erected from live Willow plants by volunteers on behalf of Spark of Brilliance, activities at the dome draw from native American sweat lodge ceremonies.
Hermitage
For those seeking an uncommon solitude, the hermitage serves to unwind unbecoming precepts of life in the 21st century.
Location: West of Hwy. 6 | West of Marden Creek
Land Management
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre land supports a diversity of ecosystems, wildlife habitat, micro–climates and adaptive plant species. Growing environments include grassy plains, deciduous and mixed forest, meadows, urban fringe, naturalized and ornamental landscapes, Class 1 & 2 agricultural land and Class 3 provincially significant wetlands.
Land Manager, Craig Chamberlain, maintains all non–agricultural land on the estate. Over 90 hectares of native and ornamental landscapes that facilitate prayer, meditation, education, recreation and community outreach programs.
Affirming our commitment to right–minded environmental stewardship, Craig and his crew maintain our land without the use of synthetic or petroleum–based constituents.
