The Chapter House, reconstructed here at the monastery, was originally built in Spain between 1190 and 1220.  It was originally purchased, dismantled and brought to San Francisco by William Randolph Hearst in 1931.  Originally intended to be the centerpiece of a new building project that was to surpass that of San Simeon, it remained scattered about Golden Gate State Park until the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco awarded it to the Abbey. 

Through the contributions of time, talent and money from many generous people, we have made substantial progress in the reconstruction project.  When completed the Chapter House will include a reception room, display area and archival library.  We believe it will be a beautiful addition to the abbey. 

As important as all the building and renovations are the monastery, they comprise its structure, not its heart.  The heart of the monastery is the community of monks, our prayer life, and our guests who join us in prayer each day.

Since its founding, the Abbey has established close ties with other monasteries throughout the world.  In 1960 New Clairvaux became the motherhouse for Our Lady of Joy, a Cistercian monastery of exiled Chinese monks who relocated in Lantao, Hong Kong.  Subsequently, in 1984, a new foundation, Holy Mother of God, was opened in Taiwan.  In 2001 New Clairvaux accepted paternity of Our Lady of Peace, a house of nuns located in the diocese of Juigalpa, Nicaragua. 

There has been much change and much growth since New Clairvaux was founded.  As we face the future we do so with thanksgiving for all the blessings god has bestowed upon our community in the past and we look forward with great confidence that God will continue to bless the community and all our friends who come each year to pray with us.  Deo Gratias!

PLEASE VISIT OUR SACRED STONES WEBSITE AT WWW.SACREDSTONES.ORG