St. David, Arizona: Holy Trinity Monastery

A monastery with its own RV park and thrift store.

On my way to Tombstone and Bisbee I saw this 70-foot high Celtic Cross, and at the base of the cross is the "Shrine of the True Cross." It is visible from Hwy 80, at the Holy Trinity Monastery. [David Kamada, 04/23/2011]

Here's a site in which I found great solitude: The Holy Trinity Monastery, located on your way to Tombstone (a haven of southwestern roadside attractions). Highlights of the Monastery include The Meditation Garden (more of a swamp than a garden) and the "Bird Sanctuary" where I was stalked by wild javelina in a maze of thick brush.

I'm not sure what the monastery is or who lives there but I did see a couple of nuns and some trailers. Oh yeah, hanging below the Holy Monastery sign is another sign telling travelers that the thrift store is open. [Mark Breck, 01/03/1997]

[RA: Rod Corona adds: "It open to the public and even has an RV park. It is unusual that a Catholic monastery would be located in St. David since the town is mostly Mormon. It was founded by members of the Mormon Battalion."]