Holy Cross Monastery
The mother house of the Anglican Order of the Holy Cross stands on the Hudson River’s eastern bank, a Mission Revival and Tudorbethan structure designed by celebrated religious architects and serving as a center for monastic life, retreat, and progressive social witness.
At a glance
Holy Cross Monastery occupies 26 acres overlooking the Hudson River in West Park, a setting that commands views from the neighboring Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site across the water in Hyde Park. Designed by Ralph Adams Cram and Henry Vaughan, the building blends Mission Revival and Tudorbethan architectural languages. Today it functions as the Order of the Holy Cross’s house of formation, where new members train in the Benedictine-inspired monastic tradition.
History
The Order of the Holy Cross was founded by The Reverend James Otis Sargent Huntington, who established the monastery as the order’s first permanent house twenty years after the order’s inception. Before securing this Hudson River site, the community occupied interim homes in New York City and Maryland. Construction began in 1902 and the monastery was dedicated in 1904, becoming a lasting monument to the order’s commitment to religious life grounded in social engagement. The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Huntington is buried in the Monastic Church of St. Augustine on the grounds.
What you see
The monastery synthesizes Mission Revival and Tudorbethan vocabularies in a composition that reflects the architectural vision of Cram and Vaughan, both renowned for their designs of religious buildings. The principal structure anchors the 26-acre property, complemented by two guesthouses and the Monastic Church of St. Augustine. The Monastic Enclosure preserves the contemplative heart of the community. The building’s prominence in the westward view from the Vanderbilt grounds underscores its architectural presence in the Hudson River landscape.
Cultural significance
Holy Cross Monastery represents a sustained Anglican commitment to monastic contemplation rooted in Benedictine tradition. The order’s embrace of progressive social causes—demonstrated by Saturday peace vigils during the Iraq War—marks it as a community engaged with its historical moment. Author Madeleine L’Engle, who wrote A Wrinkle in Time, led annual writers’ workshops and retreats here for much of her life, drawing artists and seekers to the monastery’s spiritual environment.
Key facts
- Location: US Route 9W, West Park, New York, United States
- Coordinates: 41.803°N, 73.957°W
- Architects: Ralph Adams Cram and Henry Vaughan
- Construction began: 1902; Dedicated: 1904
- Site area: 26 acres (11 hectares)
- National Register of Historic Places: 1995
- Founder: The Reverend James Otis Sargent Huntington
Practical information & getting there
The monastery is located on US Route 9W in West Park, on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, approximately two hours north of New York City. Individual and group retreats are available; visitors should contact the community directly for current information on programs and visiting hours. The monks maintain a bookshop and gift shop (the Monk’s Cell) on the property, along with offerings of incense and perfume. The nearby Vanderbilt Mansion provides additional cultural context for a visit to the region.
Sources & resources
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