Despite the anti-religious sentiment, it was well-understood that the Convent and its churches represented a rare gesamtkunstwerk (complete work of art), and that its synergy of architecture, decoration, and collections of fine and decorative art were exceedingly important.
In 1923, the convent tried to remake itself as the "Martha and Mary Community of Industry" in order to continue their works despite the civil war and official atheist position of the government.