To the owners of Visitation Hotel, a Marriott property:

We ask you to restore the dignity of the chapel by relocating the bar.

While we lament the loss of the beautiful Visitation Academy convent and school, we thank you for allowing the building to live on for new purpose.

That said, we are deeply saddened that the sacred chapel, used for countless celebrations of the Holy Mass, has been converted into a bar and restaurant.

Even though the chapel was properly deconsecrated - for the girls of Visitation, for Christians, and for people of goodwill everywhere, this is an evident and painful misuse of the space.

We, Visitation Academy alumni, concerned citizens of Frederick, Maryland, and others dismayed by the use of this space, petition you to make the necessary changes as soon as possible to restore its dignity and respect its holy heritage - either by removing the altar and tabernacle or relocating the bar to another location.

We wish you the best with this venture and ask for your serious consideration given the importance of this place to generations of women and their families from Frederick and beyond.