Monastery Immaculate Conception facts for kids
The Monastery Immaculate Conception is a special place in Ferdinand, Indiana. It is home to one of the biggest groups of Benedictine women in the United States. This beautiful monastery is only about fifteen minutes away from St. Meinrad Archabbey.
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Convent Immaculate Conception Historic District
|
|
Monastery of Immaculate Conception, June 2008
|
|
 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 802 E. 10th St., Ferdinand, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Area | 190 acres (77 ha) |
| Built | 1883-1887, 1915 |
| Architect | Klutho, Victor |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000122 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 1983 |
Contents
Building the Monastery
People in Ferdinand call the monastery "the Castle on the Hill." Its construction began in 1883. It was built on a hill called "Mount Tabor." The main part, where the sisters live, was finished between 1886 and 1888. A large new section was added in 1903.
The Beautiful Chapel
The monastery's chapel was designed by an architect named Viktor Klutho. Building the chapel started in 1915. The inside of the chapel was not fully finished until 1924.
The chapel has a tall Gothic altar. It features statues brought from Munich, Germany. These statues show the Immaculate Conception, Saint Benedict, and Saint Scholastica. Other large statues show important saints of the Benedictine order.
The wooden pews were carved by hand by German artists. The Stations of the Cross, which show Jesus's journey, were also carved in Munich. The chapel has 47 stained glass windows, also made in Munich. You can find 89 angels in the church. They are in the stained glass, statues, and carvings.
A Historic Place
In 1983, the Monastery and its other buildings became part of the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historic sites. The main building was built from 1883 to 1887. A big expansion started in 1915. This included the chapel, which is in the Romanesque Revival style.
The Sisters of St. Benedict
In 1861, a priest named Fr. Chrysostom Foffa asked the Sisters of Providence to teach at St Ferdinand Church. But they did not have enough sisters who spoke German. So, he asked the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery in Kentucky for help.
Four sisters arrived in August 1867. As more sisters joined, they started teaching in other towns. These towns included Fulda and Saint Meinrad. In 1870, they opened a boarding school for girls. It was first called Academy Immaculate Conception. Later, it was renamed Marian Heights Academy. This school closed in 2000.
Becoming Independent
In 1871, the Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand became their own independent group. In 1872, the sisters bought 64 acres of farmland. This land helped them grow food and get supplies.
In 1878, four sisters from Ferdinand started a mission. It was at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The sisters mainly taught. They also took care of church items like vestments and altar cloths. The sisters were skilled at making church vestments. They used silk and gold embroidery.
The monastery published a monthly newsletter called Die Taube. This helped sisters at different missions stay in touch. Before World War I, German was the main language spoken at the monastery. Even today, some German phrases are still used there.
Teaching and Helping Others
In 1914, St. Benedict Normal College was started. It trained teachers. Eventually, sisters taught in over 75 schools. These schools were in 12 states and 5 countries. In 1956, St. Benedict College started admitting laywomen. In 1960, men could also attend. The college closed in the spring of 1970.
Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana, was started by sisters from Immaculate Conception.
Even though the number of sisters went down in the late 1900s, it has now increased. The Benedictine Hospitality Center is located at the monastery. In 2016, Benet Hall, on the monastery grounds, was changed into apartments. These apartments are for senior citizens aged 55 and over. They are for people who meet certain income rules.
The sisters have a bakery called "Simply Divine Bakery." They make baked goods using old German recipes. These are sold in the monastery gift shop. There is also a kitchen garden. The old art building of the academy is now rented out. It is home to St. Benedict's Brew Works, which opened in 2015.
As of 2019, there were 134 sisters in the group. They do many helpful things. They teach, work in churches, and offer retreats. They also provide health care and counseling. They help immigrant families, the homeless, the poor, and people recovering from addictions.
