Most people familiar with Kentucky’s Catholic roots have heard of the Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown, founded in 1848. But what’s rarely told is the story of the first Trappist monks to step onto Kentucky soil, more than forty years before Gethsemani.
From Revolution to Refuge
In the wake of the French Revolution, the Trappists were among those forced into hiding. A small group fled France and Switzerland and set sail for America in 1804. In late 1805, they arrived in central Kentucky, drawn by news of a Catholic settlement called Holy Cross.
Holy Cross: A Hard Beginning
The Trappists arrived in fragile condition. Two-thirds of them were already sick with fever. Within weeks, two monks died. They rented land bordering the Holy Cross Church, built rough-hewn cabins, and constructed a modest chapel.
Between 1805 and 1807, five monks died from illness, exposure, and malnutrition. Their fellow brothers buried them in the Holy Cross Church Cemetery, where their headstones remain to this day — the first Trappists ever laid to rest on American soil.
The brave pioneering Trappists buried at Holy Cross:
- Fr. Joachim Chabert
- Fr. Peter Joseph Didier
- Br. Clement Coudrin
- Br. Francis Regis Coudrin
- Br. Paul Marie Blain
A New Hope in Casey County (1807)
In 1807, fourteen monks made the trip to Casey County in the dead of winter — cutting a rough road through the forest. They called their new site “Our Lady of Consolation.” They built a functioning monastery, carved out fields, and even launched a watchmaking business and a sawmill.
Fire and Flight (1808-1809)
In December 1808, a fire swept through the Casey County monastery, destroying nearly all of their buildings and supplies. In spring 1809, the monks packed what little they had and began a slow journey west to Illinois.
Legacy in the Land
Today, Holy Cross Church Cemetery in Marion County still holds the names of those first Trappists. While Gethsemani Abbey would later flourish, it is these first monks who planted the seed.
About the Author
Kenny Browning is a lifelong resident of Marion County, Kentucky, with over 72 years of deep roots in the community. A passionate storyteller and history enthusiast, Kenny offers personalized tours that highlight the beauty and history of rural Kentucky.