Scenes from Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers

2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
2,300-acre island of calm
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The Monastic Heritage Center where visitors are welcomed to the museum, bonsai, cafe and Abbey Store on Thursday November 20, 2014. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers has 2,200 acres of beautifully planted gardens and grounds, a visitor's center, museum, cafe, lodging for weekend guests, a gothic abbey church, and a gift shop featuring baked goods, fruitcakes, biscotti and fudge, plus bonsai trees cultivated by the monks. It's an unusual feature of the Conyers landscape that has become an attraction for visitors from across the southeast, for those seeking a spiritual retreat and those just seeking a nice outing. For gift-givers it is also a popular holiday destination. The order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), commonly called the Trappists were founded in the 11th century and follow the rule of St. Benedict in their Christian monastic practice. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM