Our much-loved and historic “Saint Benedict’s Ranch House” is getting a facelift, in the form of restoration of the wall and archway at the front of the building.
Originally built in the early 1900s as a residence, in 1964, when the first monks arrived here, it became the first chapel, refectory, kitchen and guestroom of the monastery.
Later the building served as the Giftshop, then as rooms for monks, before we built out cloister in the 1990s, and it finally it became three double-occupancy guestrooms and a common room with amenities.
The current work on the wall was made possible by a generous gift from the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. We are deeply grateful for this assistance as we continue to maintain and improve our guest facilities, in the hope of opening up again to overnight retreatants, when it is safe and prudent. We are still not sure when that will be.
Today’s picture shows the Ranch House wall on August 24th, and the next two days will see the final brown color-coat being applied.
Lorenzo Martinez, owner, and his crew, from “Rio Chama Lath and Plastering,” near Espanola, who have been assisting us for over the past thirty years, are doing another fine job at the Ranch House dedicated to Saint Benedict.
Blessed week in progress!
Abbot Christian and the monks
