Monastery Immaculate Conception

The Monastery Immaculate Conception is a monastery in Ferdinand, Indiana. It is home to one of the largest communities of Benedictine women in the United States. It is located approximately fifteen minutes from St. Meinrad Archabbey.HistoryThe convent, locally known as "the Castle on the Hill", was founded in 1867 by nuns from the St. Walburg Monastery in Covington, Kentucky. The monastery operated a normal school early in its history, and placed on emphasis on teaching, with nuns traveling throughout the United States and the world in order to teach. Although the abbey faced declining numbers in the late 20th century, this trend has since reversed.ConservationIn 1983, the Monastery and other outbuildings and structures were added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Convent Immaculate Conception Historic District. The complex includes the main building constructed in 1883-1887. A major expansion to the complex began in 1915 and includes the Romanesque Revival style convent chapel.