Cañon City – The Holy Cross Abbey is closing after 80 years, and the grand old landmark on U.S. 50 has been put on the market for $13.5 million.
Three years ago, the Benedictine Society voted to disband the abbey, and its five monks will go elsewhere.
Colorado Springs real estate agent Danny Mientka says the abbey and its surrounding 175 acres would be ideal as a retirement home, religious retreat or private school. There has been interest in the property but no takers.
“It’s going to be missed. It is being missed already,” said Cañon City Mayor Bill Jackson, who attended junior college at the abbey soon after World War II.
At its peak, as many as 250 students attended the school in 1975, but enrollment declined and the school closed in 1985.
Facing the prospect of closing anyway because of their aging ranks and the dearth of new members to take their place, the monks voted to disband.
The entire property, including the winery, which operates as a separate nonprofit, is for sale.
