About The Abbey in Cañon City, CO.

This Tudor Gothic styled building was a former Catholic Monastery for Monks in the Order of St. Benedict from 1924-2005. The monks have since joined other Monasteries in different locations throughout the country. The Monastery and Historic Abbey Campus is now privately owned and is enhancing the 175 acres to preserve the beauty and history of this Cañon City, Colorado Landmark!

Some of the buildings located on this campus are rented out to various individuals, groups and organizations. The Abbey Business, Events Coordinators, Wedding Coordinator Offices, as well as, the Parlor, Chapel, and the Brides and Groomsmen Rooms are located on the 1st floor of the Monastery.

Abandon the frantic pace and come to a place of beauty and serenity. Take a step back in history of hundreds of former Monks and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the former Chapel during your visit here. The Parlor located in the southwestern corner of the Monastery was used by the monks as a waking parlor for those that passed away from this congregation. The historic cemetery for the monks is located just a short walk north of the Events Center.

We welcome visitors to the campus during the hours of 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM 7 days a week. Please Note: The Monastery and our business offices are not open Saturday or Sunday and or most Holidays. We do ask that you respect the limited "Private" and "Not Open to the Public" areas that are posted throughout the campus.

Visitors are surprised that this building is not a huge Cathedral. It was built as a Monastery for the monks and they opened the Chapel to the public to join them in prayers and masses. Original building plans for the campus did include a Church, but as hard times fell on the country and the community as a whole this never came to pass.

In the main hallway just outside the chapel, you can find historical black and white photos of the beginning phases of the monastery building and photos of the first Brothers and Priests that started the community of the "Holy Cross Abbey" in 1924-1925. On display and still in use in the South Parlor rests the genuine Victorian furniture that came to the Abbey upon the closing of the Stratmore Hotel of Cañon City.

The Blessed Sacrament alter and the main altar are works of the former monks of this Abbey. The Shields mounted on the choir loft represent the Seven Sacraments and the shield in the center of the Abbey's coat of arms. The first Shield on the left is for Baptism (three drops of water for the Blessed Trinity), then Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. The two Shields on the West Loft wall are legends about St. Benedict as related by Pope Gregory I. The Dove represents St. Scholastica - St. Benedict's twin sister. The Shield with the Raven holding a small loaf of bread in its claw recalls the story of the attempt made on St. Benedict's life when a jealous priest sent him a loaf of poisoned bread. The raven symbolized here in the Shield is said to have flown in and carried the loaf of bread away just as St. Benedict was preparing to eat it. On the Columns of the Chapel stand the Statues of the Twelve Apostles. The Stained Glass window above the Alter was donated by the Simon P. Smith family.

Our 200 Acre Campus offers a large 56 room lodging building (The Hedley Dormitory) for retreats, reunions, or gatherings of all types. We also offer our beautiful two story Tudor Style lodge (formerly the Sisters Convent House) for use to groups up to 22 guests. This guest house has a conference room, mini-kitchenette and a outdoor BBQ patio to enjoy. The Abbey also boasts Cañon City's largest and most utilized Event Center housed in a modern glassed building behind the Monastery. Our Event Center is available for Parties, Receptions, Meetings and more, offering an accommodating menu that is second to none!