For over 370 years, the Sisters of St. Joseph have lived a simple but radical mission: to serve the dear neighbor without distinction. Their story—rooted in courage, humility, and an unwavering commitment to community—has shaped St. Louis in ways both seen and unseen.
The Sisters’ story begins in 1647 in France, where a small group of women envisioned a community devoted to serving others without fanfare or recognition. Nearly two centuries later, six young sisters boarded a ship bound for St. Louis—a seven‑week voyage into the unknown. Three of them settled in Carondelet, where they lived in a humble log cabin and immediately began caring for orphans and teaching local children.
From those modest beginnings grew a sprawling motherhouse, a thriving educational mission, and a community that would shape the region for generations. Amid the mission's daily work, the building features beautiful stained-glass windows and historic treasures throughout.
One of the most striking features of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Motherhouse is the original maple-and-black walnut parquet flooring. These floors have borne witness to prayer, education, hospitality, and the quiet, steady work of women who built a legacy one act of love at a time.
More than a century later, those floors needed expert care. Time, temperature shifts, and countless footsteps had worn them thin. The Sisters sought a team that could do more than refinish wood—they needed artisans and craftsmen who understood the responsibility to preserve history.
The Sisters called upon a company that shares their reverence for service and community: Just Around The Corner Flooring, known for its meticulous craftsmanship and deep respect for the homes and institutions they serve.
Enter Kevin Claspill and his flooring experts at Just Around The Corner Flooring.
Kevin approached the project with the same spirit of service that has defined the Sisters’ work. “This is an old building,” he explained, “and the floors have been sanded and refinished over and over, so removing years of old polish and finish without damaging the original wood was a challenge.”
The team quickly realized that traditional sanding methods wouldn’t do. “Preserving the integrity of the original installation was our priority,” said Kevin. “With two different species of wood—dense maple and softer walnut—strategic sanding with precision was essential. The process we chose was slower, and our team worked deliberately to maintain the floor’s flatness and integrity. Our goal was not to sand the floor to complete re-finish perfection, but to install a perfect floor. The goal was to preserve a floor aged with beauty.”
To protect the floors for decades to come, they applied a ceramic-fortified, waterborne finish—durable, UV‑resistant, and designed to enhance the wood's natural beauty. They preserved the small gaps between boards, avoided using filler, and applied a stain that would blend well with the adjacent floors.
The result? A breathtaking restoration with an impeccably smooth finish that honors the Sisters’ history and Just Around The Corner Flooring’s dedication to serving their neighbors for the past 35 years. Interested in touring the intrinsic beauty that is the motherhouse? The sister tour guides would love to show you around.
For more information about touring the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, visit www.csjsl.org. To learn more about Just Around The Corner Flooring's restoration and refinishing services, visit www.jatcwoodfloors.com.