A petition to relocate a bar situated at the former high altar of a chapel-turned-restaurant in a Maryland hotel has garnered over 3,000 signatures. The Wye Oak Tavern, located in the newly opened Visitation Hotel in Frederick, Maryland, has sparked controversy due to its use of the former chapel space, which features a bar near the high altar flanked by stained-glass windows and angel statues.
The Visitation Hotel is housed in what was once the Visitation Convent and Academy, a Catholic all-girls school established in 1846 that closed in 2016 due to declining enrollment. Purchased in 2017, the property underwent significant renovations before opening as a luxury hotel in December 2024.
Elyssa Koren, a 2000 alumna of the Visitation Academy and mother of five, initiated the petition on December 15. She has urged the hotel to “restore the dignity of the chapel” by relocating the bar, stating that while the chapel was deconsecrated, its current use is a painful misuse of the space for alumni and the community.
The petition states: “We, Visitation Academy alumni, concerned citizens of Frederick, Maryland, and others dismayed by the use of this space, request you to make the necessary changes as soon as possible to restore its dignity and respect its holy heritage.”
The hotel, in response, has emphasized that it complied fully with the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s requirements, including the deconsecration of the chapel and the removal of sacred objects. Co-developer Jim O’Hare stated that the property was purchased for $2.75 million, and steps were taken to honor the chapel’s history. Statues of the Virgin Mary and Joseph were relocated to a courtyard garden, and religious artifacts such as crucifixes were donated to local churches.
O’Hare also noted that the bar is positioned away from the historic altar to preserve its architectural integrity, inviting alumni and concerned citizens to visit the property to see the care taken in the renovations.
However, Koren and other critics argue that the visible presence of the altar and remaining religious symbols makes the use of the space as a bar disrespectful. Virginia Leary, who had family ties to the Visitation Convent, expressed personal offense, questioning how converting the altar to a bar represents “honor and respect” for the site’s history.
What next?
Wye Oak Tavern –
A chapel-turned bar in a Maryland Marriott property serving liquor from the alter. Formerly, a Catholic Church. pic.twitter.com/dylgc9v7Ka— Blanche Victoria (@tammytabby) January 3, 2025
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions. Richard Griffin, the City of Frederick’s economic development director, praised the redevelopment of the historic building, highlighting its contribution to the city’s economy and its preservation of local history. Meanwhile, “Top Chef” star Bryan Voltaggio, who is involved with the tavern, has drawn criticism for dismissing the issue as “drama” in a social media post.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore acknowledged the concerns but has not commented directly on the petition’s demands. While the developers maintain that their project ensures the preservation of a historic building, alumni and community members remain divided over the balance between adaptive reuse and respect for the space’s sacred origins.
