Many people aren’t familiar with the Abbey of Regina Laudis. The group was founded in 1947 as one of the first Benedictine group of nuns in the United States. A man named Robert Leather so treasured a wooded hill in Bethlehem, Connecticut that he wanted it to always remain a sacred place. He donated the plot of land to the group of nuns, and they have been there ever since. The nuns have cultivated a working farm on the property, which is now 450 acres. Today, the Abbey of Regina Laudis is well-known for their amazing cheese.

Much of the land is typically open to visitors, though it is currently closed due to the pandemic. An important aspect of Benedictine lifestyle is to welcome all with hospitality, so the group hopes to re-open to guests soon.
Bruce Kaufman/Google Maps
The Abbey has a variety of crafts that the nuns engage in that are for sale to the public. They produce beef, harvest vegetables, make candles, craft leather, and create art.
Matthew Martinez/Google Maps
Perhaps their most well-known product is their cheese. The dairy began in 1975 with just one cow.
Abbey of Regina Laudis
The nuns are committed to preserving various heritage breeds of cattle that are not commonly found in larger operations.

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The Abbey's dairy farm is one of the few to be certified as a raw milk retailer (raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized). Monastic interns are heavily involved in the day-to-day work of the dairy.
Abbey of Regina Laudis
Milking is done by hand. The Abbey focuses on "high touch" processes to keep their artisanal cheeses connected to the cheese makers.
Artisanal cheese is closely associated with the land where it was produced. The flavors change depending on what the cows consumed and where the cheese was produced.
Abbey of Regina Laudis
The cheese made here is very high quality. "The Cheese Nun," a PBS documentary centered on Sister Noella Marcellino, popularized the Abbey's cheeses.
The art and food produced here are truly amazing! This is a fascinating place.
Matthew Martinez/Google Maps

The Abbey of Regina Laudis cheese can be purchased from the New Morning Market and Vitality Center in Woodbury. For more information about the Abbey of Regina Laudis, visit their website.

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Featured Addresses
Abbey of Regina Laudis, 273 Flanders Rd, Bethlehem, CT 06751, USA