Mepkin Abby is one of our area’s underappreciated assets…and we’re offering a chance for DIHS members to learn more about it with a special tour.
Just north of Daniel Island, tucked away in a wooded expanse along the Cooper River, lies a sacred and historic place known as Mepkin Abbey, a community of Roman Catholic monks established in 1949 on the site of the former Mepkin Plantation. The brothers of Mepkin belong to the worldwide Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, popularly known as Trappist, and devote their lives to prayer, spiritual study, work and hospitality. On Thursday, June 1, at 11:30 am, members of the Daniel Island Historical Society are invited to tour the abbey and grounds to learn more about the land stewards, the lives of the monks, the architecture of the Abbey’s Monastic Design Church and more. Led by DIHS member Rich Dorval, the 90-minute tour will offer much to see and discuss, including visits to grave sites on the property of historic figures such as Henry Laurens and Clare Luce Booth. Guests are asked to make a $5 donation at the Abbey for the tour. To register, email Beth Bush at elizbush@icloud.com.
The history of the Mepkin Plantation precedes the Abby by centuries dating back to 1681. For more on Mepkin Plantation including owners ranging from Henry Laurens to Henry and Clare Booth Luce CLICK HERE.