Ep. 4.10: Building on Rock: The Benedictines Arrive in St. Louis

This episode traces the remarkable founding of St. Louis Priory and the arrival of the Benedictine monks from Ampleforth, revealing how a group of determined laymen, a supportive archbishop, and three pioneering monks transformed 150 acres of West County farmland into a thriving monastery, parish, and school. From humorous early challenges—like learning to drive a Cadillac on the “wrong” side of the road—to the bold architectural vision that produced the Priory’s iconic modernist chapel, the story highlights the monks’ commitment to education, prayer, and community life. As St. Anselm Parish emerges alongside the school, the Benedictines firmly root their charism in St. Louis, offering stability, spiritual depth, and a distinctive Catholic presence during a turbulent era.