OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION ABBEY OF CLEAR CREEK Hulbert, Oklahoma
The Benedictine monks who are building Our Lady of the Annunciation Monastery of Clear Creek in Oklahoma came from the Abbey Notre Dame de Fontgombault in France. Sited on a two-square mile tract in wooded hills east of Tulsa, the monastery is being built in phases. The Crypt, Chapter House, Residences, Porter’s Lodge, and part of the Cloister are complete, as well as the first phase of the Upper Church. Recently completed is the Chapter House with important spaces like the sacristies, chapter room, classrooms, and many cells for the monks.
The monastery design reflects the French Romanesque tradition. A cruciform church plan is oriented toward the east. Side aisles and the crossing of the transepts lead to the sanctuary. The monastic choir is located at the eastern end of the nave. The main portal of the church opens from a plaza to the west.
The Porter’s Lodge is the point from which visitors are greeted and guests to the Residence are admitted. The Residence serves the non-liturgical functions of the monastery. Future expansions, such as a Refectory built adjacent to the kitchen, will complete the Cloister.
William Heyer is lead architect for the monastery including the Completion of Monastery (2025-), Chapter House (2022-23), and Chevet of the church (2015-16). Our office assumed leadership of the project when Thomas Gordon Smith retired from practice in 2015. Mr. Smith passed away in June 2021.
