Teutopolis Monastery Museum

Teutopolis Monastery Museum This small, volunteer-run museum is open the first Sunday of the month 12:30-4pm from April to November. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Francis.

A small community museum, run by knowledgeable volunteers, with artifacts from the Franciscan Monastery and the founding of Teutopolis by German immigrants in the 1800's. Private tours for 10 or more can also be scheduled. There are more than 30 rooms open for viewing in the museum, which is housed on the second floor in the former Franciscan Novitiate building, located directly behind St. Francis

Catholic Church in Teutopolis. The articles are on display in the “cells” or bedrooms of the Novices, or young men who were thinking of becoming a priest. Teutopolis Monastery Museum is known for its collection of articles and books used by the Franciscan Friars. Bibles in different languages and books from the 1700’s and the Theological Seminary are also on display. Other articles on display are items used by early Teutopolis pioneers including furniture, clocks, quilts, toys and various household items, plus carpentry and farm tools used by or typical of those used by founding families of Teutopolis in the 1800's. The tour includes the Mausoleum and St. Francis Church with stained glass windows which depict certain events in the life of St. Volunteers are stationed at various tour points to explain displays and assist visitors.

On this very holy day, we are posting scenes of the Crucifixion. One is from a very old book about the mysteries of the...
04/03/2026

On this very holy day, we are posting scenes of the Crucifixion. One is from a very old book about the mysteries of the Rosary. The other is a photo of one of the Stations of the Cross that is housed in the Teutopolis Monastery Museum. These Stations were first used in the log Church in Teutopolis, built in 1840.

The Museum will be closed this Sunday, the feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord.

The St. Francis Church renovation of 2005 included so much more than we've mentioned in recent days. Today's photos sho...
04/02/2026

The St. Francis Church renovation of 2005 included so much more than we've mentioned in recent days. Today's photos show the reinstatement of the mural over the arch leading into the Sanctuary. It was decided in March of 2005 to restore the canvas depicting St. Francis of Assisi receiving the Portiuncula indulgence from Jesus and our Blessed Mother. It was taken down and restored by Max Autenrieb Church Interior Decorating, Inc. in their studio in Edwardsville, IL.

Today's photos also show the statues and the Stations of the Cross being returned to their respective places in June of 2005. The confessional at the back of Church was also built during the renovation process. That work started in April. New wainscotting was made for the back of Church and the vestibule. New doors at the main entrance have etched glass images of St. Francis and St. Clare, made by the the Emil Frei Art Glass Co. in the St. Louis area.

The work of many hands went into this Church renovation. Visitors to the Monastery Museum are given a tour of the Church, and many who pass through Teutopolis comment on its beauty.

As part of the renovation of St. Francis Church in 2005, Bernard Ruholl and his son Ron crafted a beautiful altar, ambo ...
04/01/2026

As part of the renovation of St. Francis Church in 2005, Bernard Ruholl and his son Ron crafted a beautiful altar, ambo (lector's stand), and chairs from the old Communion rail. The Communion rail was made in the late 1890s, had been removed with the Church renovation of 1969, and saved in storage.

Renovation of the choir loft of St. Francis Church was in May and June of 2005. Today's photos show some of that work.
03/31/2026

Renovation of the choir loft of St. Francis Church was in May and June of 2005. Today's photos show some of that work.

Today we continue with photos of the St. Francis Church renovation in 2005. After the scaffolding in the nave came down...
03/30/2026

Today we continue with photos of the St. Francis Church renovation in 2005. After the scaffolding in the nave came down in May, the Church bulletin announced that there would be no weekday Masses during the week of May 16-22, to allow for removal of the pews and laying of the new carpet. Pews were temporarily stored in the chapel, Sanctuary, and St. Clare Hall. As part of the renovation, work had started in March to clean, sand, and varnish all the pews.

Scaffolding went up in January of 2005 in the nave (and in February in the Sanctuary) to begin the painting process of S...
03/27/2026

Scaffolding went up in January of 2005 in the nave (and in February in the Sanctuary) to begin the painting process of St. Francis Church. The painting work continued through April of 2005.

Next week, we will share more photos of the renovation.

Today we are continuing with photos of the renovation work in the former Novitiate chapel. After the new floor was laid...
03/26/2026

Today we are continuing with photos of the renovation work in the former Novitiate chapel. After the new floor was laid, the work to remove the wood on the walls started in March of 2005. In August the walls were finished and the carpet laid. The pews were re-finished soon after.

In early January of 2005, work started in the former Novices' chapel to replace the floor. Today's photos show some of ...
03/25/2026

In early January of 2005, work started in the former Novices' chapel to replace the floor. Today's photos show some of the work involved.
In a bulletin notice on January 30th, Fr. Austin said that significant work had been done. Concrete supports were poured, several tons of gravel were added to keep the floor dry, and wooden joists were in place. In his notice of February 6th, he said the flooring was completed, but additional work needed to be done in the chapel. More about that tomorrow.

Many of these photos of the renovation are courtesy of Kathy Wellbaum.

In the first week of January 2005, the carpet was removed from the Sanctuary of St. Francis Church in Teutopolis to rest...
03/24/2026

In the first week of January 2005, the carpet was removed from the Sanctuary of St. Francis Church in Teutopolis to restore the terrazzo floor. Today's photos show some of the work involved.

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis underwent a renovation of the interior at the beginning of this century. Rep...
03/23/2026

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis underwent a renovation of the interior at the beginning of this century. Repainting of the statues started in 2002 with the Crucifixion scene. In 2003, the statues on the side altars of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph were removed and repainted. In 2004 the Stations of the Cross were also done. Max Autenrieb Church Interior Decorating, Inc. from Edwardsville was hired for the work.
Also in 2004, the stained glass windows were cleaned and repaired by the company who made them -- Emil Frei & Associates, Inc. of the St. Louis area.
Today's photos show some of this work.
In the bulletin of November 7, 2004, our pastor, Fr. Austin Albers, OFM, announced that the Bishop had given permission to proceed with further renovation of the Church. More about that in the days ahead.

Today's photos continue the theme of the Novices' choir (chapel). Their outside entrance to the choir was on the south ...
03/20/2026

Today's photos continue the theme of the Novices' choir (chapel). Their outside entrance to the choir was on the south side. The entrance most of us use today to enter the chapel faces east. That entrance was built after the Novices left Teutopolis in the late 1960s. Also featured today are photos of the building of the ramp at the south entrance.

Address

110 S Garrott Street
Teutopolis, IL
62467

Telephone

+12179616404

Website

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