Finding peace and solitude at metro Atlanta’s Monastery of the Holy Spirit

CONYERS, Ga. - With its packed schedule of sporting events, concerts, and festivals, Atlanta is a city that’s rarely quiet. But just 25 miles east of the city — tucked away on more than 2,000 pristine acres in Conyers — is a place devoted to solitude and silence. 

This morning on Good Day Atlanta, we brought viewers along on a tour of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, which is part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and is considered the top destination in Rockdale County. Home to a small community of less than 30 Trappist monks, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit was established back in 1944 when a group of monks left an abbey in Kentucky with the goal of founding a monastery in rural Georgia. 

The centerpiece of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit is the Abbey Church, which took the monks 15 years to build and has since been called "Georgia’s most remarkable concrete building." It’s open to visitors who want to admire the church’s stained-glass windows and clean, simple lines — and visitors are also encouraged to visit the Monastic Heritage Center, which features an exhibit about the property’s history and the monastic tradition, a popular Abbey Store, and a café.

What you can do:

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is located at 2625 Highway 212 Southwest in Conyers, and the visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Monastery grounds are open to the public daily. 

For more information on the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, click here. And click the video player in this article to check out our morning at this truly unique metro Atlanta destination.