Ephrata Cloister

The buildings were five stories tall. . . .

Ephrata Cloister began in the 1730 when Conrad Beissel left his native Germany to live in Pennsylvania where he could experience freedom of religion.  He lived in Germantown for a time, then went further from people to live as a hermit.  Many people followed him to live according to his beliefs.  He believed that to be celibate, to eat only once a day, to work, to worship would lead one closer to God.  He and his followers lived in community -- women in one house like this, men in another.  Members with families lived apart from the cloistered members, but joined them for services.  Biessel wrote music which is still performed. 

The workroom where women did calligraphy.

Each Sister and Brother had a room.  

The benches you see were their beds with a piece of wood for a pillow!