St. Norbert Arts and Cultural Centre

 

The architectural ruins of Our Lady of the Prairies recall an earlier time when monks of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, called Trappists, lived in the quiet confines of the surrounding monastery. The monks pursued a life of prayer, work and contemplation, according to the Rule of St. Benedict. For 86 years, from its establishment in 1892, the monastery thrived in this secluded location along the LaSalle River. The Trappists’ move in 1978 to a new site was prompted by urban encroachment, an intrusion into their life of peaceful solitude.

Fire gutted the vacated church and residential wing in 1983. The building remnants were stabilized, the grounds were landscaped and interpretive signs were installed along paths. The setting has been used for special events like the popular Shakespeare in the Ruins.

The St. Norbert Arts Centre (SNAC) arose from a devastating fire at the Trappist Monastery in 1983. The 1912 carriage house remained intact and became a thriving centre for the arts in the aftermath. Through donations and community support, SNAC houses working artists and other tenants in the top two floors of the centre while a gallery on the main floor awaits art exhibitions, wedding celebrations and more. The administrative offices and a small shop are also located on the main floor. SNAC is bordered by the LaSalle River and surrounded by a natural forest.