In 1978 Sr. Marilyn King, a Sister of Mercy from a California based community, came to Kentucky to complete a dissertation focused on the writings of Thomas Merton. While staying at the Loretto Motherhouse, she frequented Gethsemani Abbey to access Merton’s original documents. Sr. Marilyn was struck by references in this source material that described Merton’s desire to found a proto-monastic hermit community, or Laura, in the wilderness; a dream which ended with his unexpected death in Thailand.
In 1992, Sr. Marilyn, together with a Trappistine, Sr. Gen Durcan, inspired by Merton’s vision of a hermitage in the wilderness, established “The Laura”, in the rolling hill country of Marion County, Kentucky. Here the Sisters lived quietly and served the local community for over two decades before their retirement.
In the summer of 2021, Holy Hills Hermitage was established as a non-profit to purchase The Laura. This new foundation re-envisioned The Laura as a modest, non-denominational and nature-focused hermitage. After significant renovation of the buildings and rewilding of the grounds, the hermitage fully opened in February of 2023.
Encompassing ten acres of wood and meadowland, the hermitage includes three cottages, a sanctuary building, and a welcome center, and offers “hermitage retreats” to adult individuals. Guests are invited into undisturbed solitude to savor seclusion in this rewilded sanctuary.
A series of paths, cut through rewilded grassland, lead to benches and picnic tables for rest and contemplation, this includes a number of walkways through the meadow and woodlands, around the pond, and along the creek hollow. These contemplative trails invite restful reflection and reignite reverence for the wilds.
