Determined to construct their new monastery on a picturesque mountaintop property in Meeteetse, WY, despite budget constraints, the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel dedicated their time and skills to learning to work a CNC machine and fabricate the stone pieces themselves
Having outgrown their family style home in Clark, WY, the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel were seeking a new place of solitude. With the majestic mountainscape of the Rocky Mountains nearby, it was the obvious choice for their relocation. Through the efforts of the New Mount Carmel Foundation and the generosity of a few benefactors, the monks were able to acquire mountain property in Meeteetse, WY, for their monastery in the fall of 2010. Seeking simple durable materials that will withstand the test of time, the monks chose natural stone for their spiritual retreat. Faced with cost provisions, the monks took on the impressive challenge of learning to operate a CNC stoneworking center and fabricate all of the stone needed for the project themselves.
“We wanted to build a monastery that would last for many generations of monks,” explained Brother Gabriel Marie. “Stone was the obvious choice since all of the monasteries and churches of Europe are built of stone and have been standing for a thousand years. Natural stone also has a beauty that lasts for centuries, unlike many other forms of architecture.”