Ephrata Cloister
I had passed the exit sign many times for the Ephrata Cloister but never really knew what it was. I knew it was a historical site but that was about it. After doing a little research, I decided to take the family on a field trip one warm November day when school was off.
The Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by a German spiritual mystic named Conrad Beissel. Born in Germany, his homeland devastated by wars and his parents dead, he began a spiritual journey which eventually led him to America. He experimented with different sects but eventually identified himself with the Brethren in the Conestoga area near Lancaster. As a minister, he began to veer off from the established doctrine and became more radical, causing a split in the church. Ultimately he founded his own sect, establishing a new community in Ephrata. The mid-eighteenth century was the zenith of the Cloister and approximately 80 celibate members and 200 family members settled in the community.
Beissel’s theology combined Anabaptist conventions with spiritual mysticism characterized by an emphasis on celibacy, pietism, asceticism, and Sabbath worship, albeit families were allowed there along with some industry and creative expression. Life at the Cloister was strictly regimented and members were required to work hard and make many personal sacrifices. After Beissel’s death, the community began to decline and eventually the last celibate member died in 1813. This resulted in a reorganization by remaining families into the German Seventh Day Baptist Church. By 1929, the church dissolved due to internal conflicts and the end result was a state takeover of the historical property. It was renovated and today this National Historic Landmark administers tours, continuous research, and education to the public about Ephrata’s oldest site.
An admission to the Cloister includes a guided tour of the historic buildings and grounds, along with a self-guided tour of a small museum. Our guide was enthusiastic and gladly involved our children in the discussions of the various sites. My son always asks lots of questions, so I appreciate a patient tour guide! We marveled at the community’s rules and torturous schedule which included mandatory prayer for a few hours at midnight and sleeping on a wooden block for a pillow–not sure how that is even possible! We learned about their domestic life as well as their worship services, along with fascinating stories about their contributions to art, education, and music. The children enjoyed posing behind wooden cutouts of traditionally dressed Cloister members. This trip was fairly close for us and is an easy half day activity. Prepare to delve into our region’s rich religious past, and come away with a deeper knowledge of a historical topic you may have never learned before.
There is ample free parking and picnic tables available. Plan to spend at least 2 hours here.
This is one of the sites you can get a free family pass to see through the Lancaster public library. Chances are you will be on a waiting list and will need to be sort of spur of the moment when one becomes available, but it may be worth a try!
Hours: January – February: Wednesday – Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday noon – 5
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
March: Tuesday – Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday noon – 5
Closed Mondays
April-December: Monday – Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday noon – 5
(Open 7 days a week)
Daily guided tours on Monday through Saturday are offered at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm. Tours on Sunday are offered at 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm.
Admission Prices: Adults (ages 12-64) $10.00, Senior Citizens (ages 65 and above) and motor clubs (such as AAA) $9.00, Youth (ages 3-11) $6.00, Children under age 3 are free.
Ephrata Cloister
632 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522
Telephone (717) 733-6600
Ephrata1732@gmail.com
See www.ephratacloister.org for more details!
