From Prosperity to Peace: The Story of Elm Court

Discover the remarkable journey of Elm Court, the stately estate that became the heart of Our Lady of the Elms. Built during Akron’s era of industrial prosperity, Elm Court was designed by acclaimed architect Howard Van Doren Shaw for Arthur Marks, a prominent rubber industry executive and inventor.

 

In the 1920s, the Sisters of St. Dominic transformed this grand residence into their Motherhouse and the foundation of the Elms School, infusing it with a spirit of faith, education, and service. This talk explores the architecture, history, and human stories that shaped Elm Court’s transformation—from a private home of distinction to a place of peace, learning, and lasting legacy.