Franciscan Monastery

Franciscan Monastery sustains the 800-year mission of the Franciscan Friars through education, fundraising, promoting pilgrimages and providing pastoral ministry to local residents and all Catholics. The Monastery provides a home to the Franciscan community and sustain a mission on behalf of the Holy Land.

The Monastery sits on top of hill in Brookland, Washington DC, and was established in 1897 by Reverend Charles Vassani and Father Schiling. The building was designed by architect Aristide Leonori who later designed the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis. A large wooden cross was erected on the hilltop and is now the site of Friars' Cemetery. Funding to build the monastery was done so by selling paper bricks or 'Building bricks', these were sold for 10 cents each. It took a year to build the monastery and was almost debt free.

There are facilities at the Monastery to hold conferences and meetings. They are available by donation, each room can hold from 16 to 70 persons. Guests who have used the rooms include 8th grade confirmation retreat groups, high school groups and secular order groups.