Shalom Center, Inc. was founded in response to growing concern for clergy and religious who were carrying increasing responsibilities while also facing the emotional stresses that naturally accompany the stages of human development and a life of ministry. Caring for those who serve the Church became an issue of justice.               In 1979, at the request of Bishop Morkovsky of the Galveston-Houston Diocese, Father James A. Harnan, M.S.C., researched and documented the needs of clergy and religious in ministry. His findings were presented to the bishops and major superiors of the diocese,
and in 1980 Shalom Center, Inc. was established as a nonprofit organization.
   Through the Center’s early outpatient
experience, it became clear that many individuals could benefit from a supportive residential environment away from the stresses of daily life.
In January 1990, Shalom Center’s residential campus in Splendora, Texas, 36 miles north of Houston, became a reality.
   Situated on 15 wooded acres, the campus was designed to provide a peaceful, non-institutional setting for healing and renewal. At its center is the chapel, a hexagon-shaped structure of rustic cedar and glass that remains the spiritual focal point of the property. Six cottages accommodate up to twenty residents, each with a private bedroom and bath, along with laundry and kitchenette facilities.
   Over the years, Shalom Center has continued to expand its facilities and services to meet evolving needs. In 1991, the Health Education and Recreation Building was completed, providing exercise areas, a heated indoor pool and spa, an arts and crafts studio, and meeting space. Outdoor amenities include walking paths, picnic areas, a basketball court, and peaceful places for recreation and reflection.
   In 1998, the Sacred Heart Conference Building was added, expanding the campus with additional offices, meeting space, an audiovisual room, and a residents’ lounge. A paved walking path and labyrinth were created in 2009 to offer residents another way to experience God’s presence in Shalom Center’s peaceful natural surroundings. Stations of the Cross were added along the path in 2010, providing further
opportunities for prayer and reflection.
   In 2012, the Board of Directors authorized construction of the final two cottages envisioned in the campus master plan. Completed in 2013, they brought Shalom Center’s residential capacity to twenty. A one-half-mile walking path around the perimeter of the property was completed in 2015, and in 2016 a pavilion was built along the lake, providing a shaded gathering place for contemplation, conversation,
and community.