Indiana is full of surprises. When you least expect it, a Benedictine monastery appears on the hilltop in a small town named St. Meinrad, in southern Indiana. The Monastery, which stands on a ridge overlooking the valley, was founded in 1854 when the Swiss Abbey of Einseideln, Switzerland, sent monks to southern Indiana to meet the religious needs of the growing German-speaking Catholic population. Today, St. Meinrad is a Seminary and School of Theology with 100 monks living in the monastery, an Archabbey, one of only two in the United States and 11 worldwide.

Who was St. Meinrad? He was a monk and hermit who lived in Switzerland during the 9th century. Considered to be a holy man, his advice was sought out by many. One day two robbers came to his hermitage and, in return for his kindness, killed him. He thus became known as the “Martyr of Hospitality.”

The Archabbey is a beautiful Romanesque structure built between 1899 and 1907. The three-foot thick walls are made of hand-chiseled Saint Meinrad sandstone, carried by mule to the building site from a quarry at Monte Cassino, a mile away. Latin and Eastern influences are evident throughout. Twin spires covered in copper rise gracefully above the slate roof. Inside, the simple interior is decorated with graceful arches and rich stained glass windows. Made in Munich, Germany, in the early 1900s, the west-facing windows stream sunlight into the abbey, illuminating the richly patterned floor. Other than monastic choir stalls, there are no pews, just wide open spaces. Eight bells in the tower ring melodiously, marking the hour.

Other buildings in the complex include the Seminary and the modern guest house where visitors are accommodated. The nearby cemetery is filled with the graves of monks who lived out their lives in this area. The names on the stones are predominantly German, reflecting the strong Swiss-German heritage of the area.

Birdsong fills the surrounding woods. Flashes of red catch your eye as resident cardinals flit through the trees. There is an aroma of jasmine and roses and freshly mowed grass. Butterflies and bees fill the well-tended garden behind the Archabbey, feeding on the many different types of flowers and bushes. Bubbling streams cascading over rocks and splashing fountains add to the feeling of peace and serenity. The Archabbey offers a number of opportunities to participate in events (including retreats) with the monks. St. Meinrad is a unique landmark, worthy of a visit to experience some of the religious and spiritual heritage of the United States.

IF YOU GO
St Meinrad is at 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577; Tel 812-357-6611. It is halfway between Evansville, IN and Louisville, KY. If you drive, take I-64 and exit at Ferdinand/Santa Claus #63), turn south on State Road 162, turn left onto State Road 62, go four miles. Follow the signs to the Archabbey. 

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