Carmelite Monastery

Having passed by the Carmelite Monastery on a number of occasions, and given that the entrance bore a sign welcoming all to come in and pray, I decided to satisfy my curiosity about this sanctuary of worship.
The Carmelite Monastery in St. Louis belongs to the St. Teresa Association, which is a group of Discalced Carmelite monasteries bearing witness to the spirit of the Order of Discalced Carmelite Nuns. The contemplative order’s local presence dates to the Civil War. My visit here spurred me to go online to research this often overlooked aspect of St. Louis history. I will note that the Church is a beautiful example of Italian Romanesque revival and the flowers and grounds are extremely well-​tended and welcoming. The interior of the chapel includes several statues, an altar, and stained glass windows and was sprinkled with worshipers on Monday afternoon. The space is calm and lends itself well to contemplation.
There is also a small gift shop on site. Even though the sign in front said it is closed for lunch from noon-​1pm, Joan was kind enough to let us inside. This contemplative space is well worth a visit.