The monastery recently completed the second of two phases of renovation, and put the new space immediately to use, hosting a number of guests for the Solemn Profession of Brother Benedict. While that event had not provided the initial target date for completion, this opportunity to offer hospitality prompted the completion of the work and the extensive clean up and reorganization it had precipitated. Br. Joseph Byron relates that it had been the imminent collapse of the entire plumbing system that had first prompted the massive two-stage renovation. The condition of the pipes was such that they needed nearly constant repair, while any repair actually risked creating yet more damage, due to the corrosion endemic in the entire piping network. Add to this the degree of difficulty and expense in cutting through the cement and other wall materials to undertake any repair. With leaks appearing all over the monastery, dripping through ceilings to damage floor and ceiling alike, there was no escaping a major reconstruction project.  

It was in fact the pandemic that had catalyzed the timing of the work. When the absence of students during remote learning allowed for some long overdue repair and reconstruction in the dining hall’s kitchen, that project led to the inclusion of the work needed for the monastery. For more than two years, the sizeable renovation has been ongoing, affecting first the southern half of the monastery, then the northern section, drawing in all three floors. Outside construction firms have supplied the labor and expertise to complete plumbing, reconstruction, and painting work. Our own in-house maintenance staff also assisted with the project, with former Director of Operations, Paul Jestings, overseeing the overall development of the project.  

The monastery had already been exploring various long-term plans for the facilities. These plans have been inspired more by potential use of the facility and included different concepts for a guest house and the possible use for retreats. It also has envisioned the creation of an in-house infirmary, a feature lacking in the original monastery design. Such facilities could serve the monastic community more fully, with rooms that are accessible to the disabled, to serve aging or infirm monks. While the just-completed work was a necessary repair to plumbing and an effort to avoid complete structural failure, the recent modifications also made progress in addressing these needs, notably in the creation of accessible bathrooms. Three adjacent monastic cells were transformed into two, with the middle space divided into bathrooms for the two remaining cells. The concept evolved yet further when it was realized that the same modification could be accomplished across the hall, producing an ad hoc infirmary area of sorts, in the form of four handicapped-accessible spaces, each with its own bathroom. And it was the hosting of guests that provided the final push to complete the extensive clean up and organization required by renovations, which had ultimately affected every room in the entire monastery, displacing inhabitants and dislodging furniture. The nature of the reconstruction work, particularly the demolition of the walls, was such that rooms, corridors, furniture, remained coated with dust. “This was sixteen rooms: that is a lot of space, and a lot to prepare for the guests,” Br. Joseph notes. Working through caked dust, the furniture piled into rooms converted temporarily to storage, and thinking through how to set up the renovated space, all left substantial pieces of the puzzle to work through to complete the project. It was completed, just in time to host sixteen guests present for the Solemn Profession.  

Surveying all that was accomplished reveals a significant achievement for the monastery. Br. Joseph comments, “There were some very good results from this, particularly the downstairs floor. It was originally designed with a very ‘utilitarian’ look, with exposed pipes, limited lighting. A drop ceiling was added and lighting improved. The sinks were nicely upgraded.” Lest one think this speaks of luxury, the upgrade is to be contrasted with failing sinks, peeling Formica, single bulbs offering inadequate light, built-in above-sink plugs leaving electrocution risk. While the monastery outwardly looks unchanged, the modifications have produced an attractive, workable, and safer interior, moving the facility into the 21^st century. Most importantly, the completion of the work has taken off the agenda the pressing need to make constant repairs and addressed the risk of catastrophic failure, allowing the displaced community members to regain a more monastic, contemplative sense of quietude.