MONASTERY OF ST. JOSEPH | BENEDICTINE'S OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES
The Benedictine’s of Mary Queen of Apostles is an order of Catholic Cloister Nuns that follow the rule of St. Benedict, which focuses on prayer and work (Ora et Labora). Their days are spent in prayer and maintenance of their community. All other works of their hands are directed toward the glory of the altar in making vestments and altar linens.
Since our first completed project in 2010 for the Benedictine’s of Mary, Queen of Apostles in Gower MO, the order has seen consistent interest in new vocations to religious life. To increase their reach, the sisters are now building another priory & church in Ava, Missouri where there are currently 10 sisters living in a converted house that does not meet their needs.
This partnership with Baker Architects included a priory to house 48 women, a church, walkway, and cloister area. Phase I included the wood frame construction of the priory, all site work and shell of the steel frame church. Phase II included completion of their beautiful church.
The Priory features a commercial kitchen, root cellar, sewing room, food processing room, indoor greenhouse, library, reading room, sacristy, dining room, and a parlor/event space. The church in Ava shares many similarities with the church in Gower, including a stone façade, bell tower, stained glass windows, Baldacchino over the alter, hand painted murals, Italian marble, and groin vaulted ceilings.
ARCHITECT: BAKER ARCHITECTS
LOCAL PARTNER: BRANCO ENTERPRISES INC.
OWNERS REP: PAUL VILLOTTI | FORZA CONSULTANTS LLC
