After a long search for property, of which most of you are well aware, the Monastery of St. John has found a wonderful place: a large retreat center in Manton, California, near Redding, which is an almost perfect fit to our needs.
The property consists of a 12,000 square foot house with 20 bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and three kitchens. Adjacent is a large workshop/garage, of almost 1,000 sq. ft. There is also a 2,000 sq. ft. guest house with four bedrooms and two baths. The parcel consists of 42 acres, mostly pine and cedar forest, at about 3,000 feet elevation. Manton is 40 miles from Redding, just south of Shingletown, near the foot of Mount Lassen. It is a little town, surrounded by vineyards and apple orchards. While it is remote, it is accessible.
The house is in beautiful condition, only eight years old, and comes fully furnished. This property is not only adequate to our needs; it would allow for substantial growth and development of our community and its work, and provide substantial space for income generating activities. We plan to put in an orchard and build a barn for some goats. We also plan to build a chapel as soon as it is possible, of about 1,500 sq.ft. There is, however, ample space for an adequate temporary chapel in the house. In the future, we hope to develop housing for some retired priests adjacent to the monastery.
We ask you to consider how you might help us, especially as we need to meet a large monthly mortgage payment of about $5,000. We have, through your generosity, paid $500,000 as the down payment. The remaining mortgage is $750,000. We also need another $100,000 over and above the purchase price for the necessary modifications and interest reserve.
Several parishes and many individuals have pledged to help us pay the mortgage. Please consider a pledge towards the mortgage.
