Holy Annunciation Retreat
Holy Annunciation Friary
UPDATE: Raising the First Section of the Monastery Building - Marian Friars Minor
UPDATE: Finished Our First Cabin for Holy Annunciation Retreat
Raising the First Timbers on the Friary + Thank You for 300from300!
Traditional Wattle and Daub Cabin Built by Franciscan Friars
Latest Updates
How and what we're building
"The Project is quite simple..."
The principal motive of this Project is to provide the Faithful with a place they can come to in order to be spiritually strengthened and nourished by the practice of Prayer, and the example and instruction of Franciscan Friars.
For this reason, we have modeled the layout of the property with three main areas:
- "The Heart and Center" - Franciscan Convent & Chapel.
-"Solitude and Prayer" - Retreat Cabins for Families and Individuals.
-"Retreat House" - A Lodge built for Group Retreats, Conferences, and Formation.
Timber-Frame Construction
One of the major advantages of this land is the incredible abundance of tall, soft and hard woods conducive to Timber-Frame construction.
For this reason it seemed to us that the most cost-efficient and lasting way to build would be to harvest the trees on the land and build using the traditional Timber-Frame method to construct small and large buildings.
36 Bents
left to go
7
DOWN
/
42 Bents TOTAL
Partners & Consultants
Vernacular Construction
Our good friends at Global Heritage Group have helped us immensely in the development of this project. From traditional methods of Timber-Frame preservation and design for longevity, to the ins-and-outs of English Wattle & Daub and Lime Plaster, Richard and & Glenn have provided an invaluable contribution to this project through their generous offering of time and advice.
Please support their work at: www.globalheritagegroup.com
Building with Clay, Straw, & Lime
Lancaster Lime Works has also provided us, very generously, with a wealth of expert knowledge in the field of traditional Vernacular and Natural Building, and in particular, on the proper methods of selection and mixing of earth, sand, and lime.
All of the Lime products used in our building are from LLW.
Please support their work at: www.lancasterlimeworks.com
Professional Roofing
Conor O'Brien, a beloved member of our Marian Penitents of St. Francis, brings several decades of expertise in the roofing industry to our project. We are very grateful for his consultations and invaluable guidance for this building.
Please support his work at:
www.obriengrouproofconsulting.com
Professional Engineering & Design
We are especially grateful for the long hours of work put in by our Professional-Structural Engineer, Mike Pace, responsible for the engineering of our entire Foundation and Floor System, as well as our very particular Vernacular Timber Frame building.
Timber Frame Professionals
Dan Kiser from Sojourn Timber Design LLC did a magnificent job designing the Frame of our building.
Dan Flynn from Quarry View Woodworks has been giving incredible advice, training, and expert consultations for the Friar's knowledge of the trade itself and the various methods of Timber Framing we've come to adopt.
Please support Dan here:
www.quarryviewwoodworks.com/
"The Heart and Center"
Convent and Chapel
The Heart and Center of Holy Annunciation Retreat will be the Franciscan Convent of the Marian Friars Minor, and a modest Chapel for visits from the retreatants.
The Convent and Chapel will be designed and built according to a traditional Cloister design, allowing for a proper Religious Observance for the Friars while allowing access for the faithful to attend the prayers of the community.
Retreat House
Group Retreats
A large, roughly 30-Person Lodge will be built just below the area of the Friary in order to provide the faithful with sufficient accomodations for organizing group retreats and conferences.
The close proximity to the Convent and chapel will facilitate access to participation at the prayer life of the friars.
Solitude and Prayer
Retreat Cabins
Multiple Retreat Cabins will be built across the property at a good distance from eachother to provide a sense of solitude most conducive to silence and recollection.
The Cabins will be within walking distance of the Chapel and Convent to facilitate continuous access to Liturgical Prayer and the Sacraments for Retreatants.
