Mepkin Abbey – Moncks Corner, South Carolina

Mepkin Abbey is a community of Roman Catholic monks, who have lived, prayed, and worked on the site of the historic Mepkin Plantation located in Moncks Corner since 1949.

The brothers of Mepkin are part of the ancient Order of Cistercian Trappists. The monks live a life centered around prayer and quiet meditation. They also work to support themselves and the abbey primarily by cultivating and selling mushrooms to local stores and restaurants. There is also a gift shop at the abbey that sells a wide variety of items – from books on monastic traditions to their famous compost!

Their labor hours aren’t always centered around mushroom cultivation. The monks are responsible for maintaining the abbey so there is always work to be done, such as yard work, cleaning, or putting books away in their vast library.

Hospitality and sharing their spiritual journey is also a large part of life at Mepkin Abbey. Many visitors of all faiths come here to seek guidance or time for private reflection.

Learn more about Mepkin Abbey here.

Special thanks to Jerry Bridgers, who submitted this painting to SCIWAY in May 2010.