HOLY CROSS ABBEY CHURCH
This project won a big award!
Cool Spring Farm (c. 1784) — in eastern Clarke County, Virginia near Berryville — is an historic property consisting of 1,200 acres of land along the Shenandoah River. The Civil War Battle of Cool Spring was fought here in July 1864. In 1950, a busload of 30 Cistercian Trappist monks made Cool Spring Farm their new home after their former home in Rhode Island burned to the ground. Upon arrival, they began work on simple cinder block buildings around the original Cool Spring Manor House. One such building served as their “temporary” church.
Realizing that due to dwindling numbers their hopes of building a new church would not come to fruition, efforts were made to renovate this stark, functional space while still maintaining the Cistercian ideals of simplicity and beauty. Wood, specifically white oak, was chosen for this endeavor. Enduring, hardy, resistant to the elements, able to bend but not break while still maintaining its natural beauty – this species seemed to characterize the monks who inhabited this space. Locally sourced and sawn, white oak was used for the new 1x4 tongue and groove flooring; doors and trim; brackets and trusses; furniture and choir stalls. These elements added an inherent warmth to a previously cold space. Larger, vertical windows extending almost to the floor were trimmed out and stained in matching wood. A wooden tabernacle penetrates a curved wall, maintaining its central focus while creating an apse for private reflection behind. There are 24 new wood choir stalls, 12 on each side, in addition to a new wood altar, ambo, and other furnishings. Duraseal Provincial and Neutral stains provided contrast between the flooring, furniture, and trim.
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“It is rare that one finds unanimous approval in a monastic community for a major building or renovation project. Yet, after listening to each of you in the course of this Visitation, that is what I have found in regard to the recent completion of the renovation of your church. And from what I understand, this appreciation and approval extends to your guests and retreatants as well. As you know this was my first visit since the project's completion. After praying with you during these days of Visitation, I would describe your renovated liturgical space as one that exudes light, beauty, simplicity and prayerfulness. I offer my sincere congratulations to you all for a job very well done!”
Dom Damian, Father Immediate for the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
“…with the latest addition of the lighting the church continues to grow more beautiful. Blessings and thanks,”
Rev. Fr. J. Wittstock, Abbot of Holy Cross Abbey - Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
“As Fr. Joseph noted, the lights are installed. The lighting is splendid! The installation of the flooring is also done, and done very well!...As always, Tim, thank you for your thoughtful assistance.”
Br. M. Statz, Holy Cross Abbey - Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
The award reached the newspaper...
131 South Loudoun Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601 (540) 722-7247
131 South Loudoun Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601
(540) 722-7247
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