St. Francis Church in Teutopolis will celebrate its 175th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone next year. To commemorate the event, the Teutopolis Monastery Museum has put together a calendar with pictures and history of St. Francis Church. They will start selling the calendar at the Teutopolis picnic on Saturday, September 20th. $12 per calendar. Stop by their stand between 5:00 and 10:00 that evening.
The Teutopolis Monastery Museum, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Located off Route 40, at 110 South Garrett Street, in Teutopolis, Illinois, the museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of the month, April through November except when the first Sunday is a holiday. The hours are from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. Admission for adults is $5.00 and $1.00 for children.
In 2025, we will be open April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5 and November 2.
There are 38 rooms open for viewing in the museum, which is housed on the second floor in the former Franciscan Novitiate building behind St. Francis Church in Teutopolis. The articles are on display in the “cells” or bedrooms of the Novices. An elevator is available for access to the first and second floors from the lower-level entry.
The Monastery Museum is known for its collection of articles and books used by the Franciscan Friars during their novitiate year. 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. Also displayed among the thousands of items are carpentry and farm tools used by families of Teutopolis. Volunteers are stationed at various tour points to explain displays and assist visitors.
The tour includes the Mausoleum where 79 Franciscan Friars are interred and St. Francis Church, with stained glass windows which depict events in the life of St. Francis.