One of America's earliest religious communities, the Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals rather than earthly rewards. Gathered in unique European style buildings, the community consisted of celibate Brothers and Sisters, and a married congregation of families.
At the zenith of the community in the 1740s and 1750s, about 300 members worked and worshiped at the Cloister. Today, the National Historic Landmark is open for tours, special programs, and on-going research opportunities.
The Visitor Center is the place to begin your exploration of Ephrata Cloister. View the introductory exhibit and video, purchase tickets, and learn about special events. In this modern building you will also find restrooms, a water fountain, and help with information about the Lancaster County region.
Conrad Beissel’s House could be among several of the surviving buildings at the site. Between his arrival here in 1732 and his death in 1768 he moved about six times. In the late 1740s the Brotherhood built Conrad Beissel a home located between Bethania (Brothers’ House) and Saron (Sisters’ House). Here he could study and write in private, hold gatherings, and welcome guests.
*Original structure.
Saron, the Sisters' House, was constructed in 1743 for Householder couples who left their homes to live as celibate Brothers and Sisters. It was a brief experiment and when the husbands and wives returned to their farms, the building was remodeled to accommodate the Sisterhood who called themselves the Roses of Sharon. Each of the building's three main floors contains a kitchen, a room for eating, two common workrooms, and about 12 sleeping chambers, one chamber for each sister. For nearly 15 years Mother Maria Eicher directed the Sisters' daily duties and maintained their independence from the Brotherhood. After the death of the last Sister in 1813, the building was divided into apartments and rented to church members.
*Original structure.
The Saal, the Meetinghouse, is a Fachwerk or half-timbered building constructed in 1741 as a worship hall for Householders. When the Sisterhood moved into the adjoining building, they took control of this Meetinghouse. Here, Sisters worshiped each midnight while the Brothers gathered in their own Saal. The entire congregation used the Meetinghouse on Mount Zion for Saturday worship. The services in each of the Meetinghouses included scripture reading, lessons, and music. Special fellowship gatherings, called Love Feasts, celebrated the coming of Christ with feet washing, a meal, and the Eucharist with bread and wine. As the Solitary population shrank in the 1770s, the Householders took a more active part in daily work. They probably added the stone kitchen to the rear of the building as a place to prepare their Love Feast meals.
*Original structure.
A Weaver’s House contained work for all members of the Ephrata community. Flax, source of linen, was planted by the Brothers, and everyone helped to harvest and clean the fiber. Both Brothers and Sisters spun linen thread, while the weaving of cloth was a male occupation. Seamstresses and tailors among the community sewed the white monastic robes.
*Original structure
The Academy was opened by the Householders in 1837 as a private school for their children and those of the area. The tradition of teaching school at Ephrata dates back to the mid-1700s when Brother Obed (Ludwig Hocker) conducted lessons for neighborhood children. Most of the teaching focused on reading, writing, and arithmetic. In the early 1840s, the enterprising teacher Joseph Wiggins also offered chemistry, measuring, surveying, and astronomy. In the mid-1800s, the building became a public school serving several generations of students until it closed in 1926.
*Original structure
God’s Acre is the burial ground for Conrad Beissel, other Solitary, and Householders, although not every grave retains its marker. The earliest marked grave is 1767 and the last burial took place here in 1961, after which the graveyard has not been used. The surrounding stone wall is a 1950s reconstruction of the original.
The Bake House and kitchen was likely a busy place when in operation. In 18th-century Ephrata, each person ate about a pound of bread a day, and loaves of bread weighed about four pounds each. After mixing the ingredients in large wooden boxes, dough was left to rise for several hours, then divided into loaves and set to rise in rye straw baskets. Meanwhile, a fire burned inside the dome shaped oven, heating the brick. When the oven temperature was correct, the coal and ash from the fire were scraped out, and the bread placed inside using long handled peels. Brother Amos (Jan Mayle) served as the community’s baker for many years, and visitors reported that he made a delicious bread.
Above the bakery is an area that served several purposes during the 18th-century. It may have been a work space or even a storage area. It could have also been a place to distribute food or clothing to individuals in need of charity. Among those cared for by the community, were several widows such as Christina Hohn, who moved into the community after the death of her husband. Other non-celibate residents of the site included poor individuals, and, for brief periods, newly arrived Householders who had not yet established their own homes. By the late 1790s, this area may have been used as a residence by the few remaining Solitary.
*Original structure
The Saron Bake Oven was constructed in the early 1820s, likely to serve the needs of the few residents renting space in Saron during the later years of the community.
*Original structure
The Physician’s House probably contained a cupboard holding a few books and homemade herbal remedies, along with a bed for the comfort of the sick. Brother Gideon (Christian Eckstein) and later Samuel Eckerlin both called themselves “practitioners in physic,” or doctors. Their training was minimal, and their cures may or may not have helped those in distress. Visitors to the community in the 18th-century said the members were thin and pale, but also seemed healthy. Like most early settlers in America, the residents of the Cloister had poor sanitation and did not bathe often. Many more necessaries or outhouses would have stood throughout the community.
*Original structure
Kedar, the first communal dormitory built at Ephrata Cloister, may have stood at this site. The building, which originally housed both Brothers and Sisters, was built in 1735. Betweeen 1737 and 1741, a Prayer House was connected to Kedar. By 1746, the building became a residence for widows and widowers. Kedar was torn down about 1800. Archaeology conducted at this site in the 1990s has offered the only clues to the size of this important early building.
Bethania, the Brothers’ House, was built in 1746 and stood until 1908. The impressive four story building had kitchens, eating areas, work rooms, and sleeping chambers much like the Saron (Sisters’ House). Archaeological evidence also suggests that the Brotherhood printing operation was carried on inside Bethania. After finishing its construction, the Brotherhood found they had gathered enough materials to construct an adjoining Saal (Meetinghouse), which was demolished about 1855. The front door of this Saal faced the Cocalico Creek. A small structure, perhaps a workshop, stood between the Saal and the creek.
The Cocalico Creek and the Spring offered a constant source of cool fresh water, attracting animals and people alike. A number of Native American tools found at Ephrata suggest this land was a prime hunting spot for the first human inhabitants of the region. When Conrad Beissel arrived in 1732, he chose to live near the spring. Anna and Maria Eicher, the first Sisters, lived in a small house across the creek on land later owned by their father, Householder Daniel Eicher. New members were received into the community with the rite of baptism, performed in the creek. About a mile downstream the Brotherhood ran a water-powered saw mill, grain mill, paper mill, fulling mill, and oil mill. Eventually, the Brothers also built a second paper mill about 500 yards upstream from this spot.
The Carpenter’s House is typical of the earliest homes in Ephrata and may be one of the oldest surviving structures on the site. Conrad Beissel originally sought to lead the life of a hermit in a cabin similar to this one. Even after the large dormitories were constructed for the Brothers and Sisters, some Solitary members chose to live by themselves, or in smaller groups, outside the communal houses. Members of the Brotherhood, such as Brother Sealthiel (Sigmund Landert) and Brother Kenan (Jacob Funk), were skilled carpenters who not only built structures but produced furniture for the community’s use.
*Original structure
The Amphitheater was constructed in the 1970s for outdoor drama and is used today for special programs.
Hours
Visitors are welcome to explore the Ephrata Cloister Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, and on Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. The Ephrata Cloister is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February, and on Easter, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Tour Schedule
Tours are available daily. The historic site includes a self-guided exhibit in the Visitor Center and seven historic buildings which can be viewed before or after the guided tour. The Saron (Sisters’ House) and Saal (Meetinghouse) are only available for viewing on the guided tour. Tours begin with a 15 minute orientation video and last approximately one hour. Plan to spend at least 1 ½ hours at the historic site.
Admission
Adults (ages 12-64) $9.00, Senior Citizens (ages 65 and above) and motor clubs (such as AAA) $8.00, Youth (ages 3-11) $6.00, Children under age 3 are free. The Ephrata Cloister accepts cash, personal checks, traveler’s checks, Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
Amenities
Visitors will find picnic tables, ample free parking, and The Museum Store at Ephrata Cloister. Check the Calendar of Events for special programs which may require advance reservations or additional fees.
Walking
The guided tour of the Ephrata Cloister is about 2 city blocks in length.
Special Assistance
Individuals in need of special assistance or accommodations are encouraged to a call the number below in advance to discuss their needs. Most of the historic structures have some limits for wheel chair accessibility. PA TDD relay service is available at 1-800-654-5984.
Non-English speaking visitors: Interpretive brochures are available in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Russian. A German-speaking guide is available on a limited schedule. Please call for more information.
Contacting the Ephrata Cloister
Telephone: (717) 733-6600
Fax: (717) 733-4364
info@ephratacloister.org
Location
The Ephrata Cloister is located at 632 West Main Street in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike: take exit 286 (old exit 21) to Route 222 South. Exit at the Ephrata exit on to Route 322 West. Turn right off the exit and travel on 322 West (Main Street) for 2.5 miles. The entrance to the Ephrata Cloister is on the left side of the street.
From Lancaster: take Route 222 North to the Ephrata exit, Route 322 west. Turn left off the exit and travel on 322 West (Main Street) for 2.5 miles. The entrance to the Ephrata Cloister is on the left side of the street.
Photography
Photography for personal use only is permitted on the grounds of the Ephrata Cloister, subject to the following limitations:
-No photography requiring flash or additional lighting sources is permitted inside
any structure.
-No video or audio recording devices are permitted on the guided tour.
-No tripods or other camera support devices are permitted in the buildings.
-Use of the historic site as a backdrop for wedding, graduation, or family photos,
or other such photos requires an admission fee to the grounds, regardless
of weather or not you take advantage of the tour or other programs offered
during business hours. Pre-arrangements for such photographs are encouraged.
All commercial photography or video taping requires advance approval.
Members of the media are encouraged to notify the site in advance of your visit.
Does this sound like a place you would visit? Or does it sound too boring?
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