In 1949 Gethsemani Abbey accepted the handsome gift of the Henry and Clare Boothe Luce estate. The site of Mepkin Abbey, sitting on a high bluff and arranged like a small village overlooking the Cooper River twenty miles upstream from Charleston, is well known for the beauty of its gardens and ancient live oaks. We are an inter-generational community who work with our hands and pray together.

Retreatants may attend any and all prayer services in the Abbey Church and have a designated section in the monastic choir to accommodate them, if they so desire. One of the monks assists the retreatants with the order of prayer so as to facilitate their full participation. No conferences are given, but sacramental reconciliation (Confession) is available upon request. The Clare Boothe Luce Library is open to retreatants at designated times.

Some men and women may wish to spend several nights in one of our Guest Houses for the purpose of a spiritual retreat. These retreats are scheduled from Monday afternoon to Friday morning and from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. Week-long retreats are available from Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday.