Published: November 19, 2007 06:29 pm            

Monastery expanding

LOST CITY, Okla. — While one may not expect to see a lot of Romanesque architecture in the forests around Lost City, building progress at Our Lady of the Annunciation Monastery of Clear Creek might change some assumptions.

Soon, the Benedictine monks of Clear Creek will see completion of their new residence, and plans are in the works for them to move in early next year.

The residence is another phase in construction at Clear Creek. The crypt, which will serve as the foundation of a new church, was completed in 2002. The church will follow as the monks receive donations needed to cover the cost.

A formidable sight, the edifice features gleaming sections of copper roofing, brick archways and hand-hewn oak and cedar ceilings in the portery, or porches. The building itself will house the monks' cells, guest rooms, a kitchen, refectory, chapter room, and serve many functions in their monastic life.

The layout of the new building forms one wall of what will eventually be home to a large square, with a cloister - or courtyard - in the center.

Designed by renowned architect Thomas Gordon Smith, whose previous work includes a wing of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and collaboration on the World Trade Tower in Shanghai, China, the overall layout of the new monastery actually dates to the order's origins.

"The design goes back to the 500s," said Clear Creek monk Brother Joseph. "St. Benedict asked for things to be arranged so they could be used without lights. There were no lights in those days, so certain buildings were used earlier in the day, and as the sun turns in the sky, different buildings would be used to make use of the daylight."

According to Our Lady of Clear Creek Prior Father Anderson, funding for the new building project came from several sources, including grants, donations and an $11.5 million bond issue in Hulbert.

"We plan on moving into the new residence Jan. 2, and we'll use the crypt as a permanent place of worship until the church is completed," he said.

For Anderson and the other monks, the new facility is reaching completion just in time.

The monastic community at Clear Creek is outgrowing its housing, and the new space is much needed. Services take place in a converted horse barn that serves as chapel, and most of the monks live in temporary metal buildings and tool sheds.

"We've gone from 13 [monks] to 29, which is pretty good for this type of community - and we have several more young men entering next year," Anderson said.

Visitors to Clear Creek are welcome, and guests may stay in the guest house and experience a traditional Mass and a taste of the monastic life.



Learn more

For more information about Our Lady of the Annunciation Monastery of Clear Creek, call (918) 772-2454, or visit www.clearcreekmonks.org.



Garron Marsh writes for Tahlequah (Okla. ) Daily Press.

        

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