We are an Irish Patrician Monastery, following the Celtic Christian tradition brought to Ireland by St. Patrick. Unlike the Roman model of monasticism, our approach isn't about seclusion or escaping from the world - it's about being actively engaged in it.
We are a place where people of like mind and spiritual nature live and do life together. Here at the monastery, life begins early with prayer and study. Each day brings different needs, classes, appointments, and projects, all completed with a focus on character and gratitude.
Our focus is to penetrate and engage with the world around us, extending the Church's mission through discipleship rather than mere evangelism. We believe in living according to the teachings of Christ as written in the Bible, helping people develop excellent character that enables them to live at peace with all people and nature.
Our journey has been marked by faith, restoration, and God's faithful provision. On January 18, 2012, we experienced a near total loss of our property due to fire, with only the shop remaining. Yet through God's grace, by January 2014, our vision was restored and we began rebuilding and even expanding our facilities.
Since then, we have grown into a vibrant community, welcoming students, offering counseling services, and serving as a place of spiritual refuge. Through both trials and triumphs, we have witnessed how God works all things for good, shaping our ministry into what it is today - a place where friendship with God and man begins.
Unlike traditional monasteries, we follow St. Patrick's Celtic Christianity which has a focus on walking as Yeshua (a Jewish Rabbi) walked. We believe in seeking reconciliation with God and man through discipleship, living out obedience to God's word through the qualities of generosity and gentleness, practicing righteousness and justice toward all of God's creation.
We understand, as Patrick did before us, and as Jesus did before him, that most people experience faith through relationships. Thus, all that we do here is about making disciples one relationship at a time, living within the framework of a less individualistic and more community-oriented approach to the Christian life.
Anamchara Monastery
515 Madison Avenue
South Cle Elum, WA 98943
Nestled in the quiet town of South Cle Elum, our monastery is surrounded by all the natural beauty of central Washington.
Whether you're seeking prayer, pilgrimage, or a peaceful retreat, we welcome you to feel the rhythm of the Celtic Christian way.
Our mission is to make disciples of all who come here seeking, especially those looking for a better way to live. We address both sacred and practical matters-from spiritual formation to how to plant crops, build or fix things, and practice good stewardship of all God has given us. Like a butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon, we believe that good character can only be developed through the challenges and opportunities that arise from living and working together.
We worship together, take meals together, study together, work together—ultimately living out Christ's vision for the Church, stirring one another up to faith and good deeds. We also offer family and individual counseling, and aim to be a source of support for our local community whenever possible.
We follow the Celtic model of ministry, which begins by establishing community with people and bringing them into fellowship, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. Within fellowship, we engage in conversation, ministry, prayer, and worship. We believe that belonging often comes before believing, and that faith grows through relationships.
Anyone can come to the monastery! We love to meet with people for tea and scones, or if you just need a safe place to sit for a wee while. We want to know our community and be a light whenever we are able.
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Rooted in Celtic Christian tradition, our monastery lives out faith through everyday acts of character, compassion, and welcome—offering warmth, wisdom, and open doors to all who come seeking.
With chalk on his hands and vision in his heart, our abbott leads both on the mountain and within the monastery walls. A passionate climber, a thoughtful builder, and a guide rooted in the Celtic Christian tradition, he brings steady hands to the sacred work of formation—of places, and of people.
Whether she's directing a scene, guiding a class, or stirring a simmering pot, our abbess brings warmth and wisdom to all she touches. With a heart for hospitality and a love for storytelling, she embodies the Celtic Christian spirit through teaching, theater, and the sacred joy of a shared meal.
Equally at home at the piano or with a handful of chalk, she fills our spaces with melody and meaning. As a devoted teacher and resident artist, she brings the seasons to life on our chalkboards and harmony to our days with her music—a quiet creativity that sings of grace.
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