Saint Scholastica Priory (Covington, Louisiana)

St. Scholastica Priory, located in Covington, Louisiana, was once a thriving community of Benedictine nuns. The priory was established in 1902 by Mother Mary Benedicta, a native of Ireland, who strongly desired to bring the Benedictine order’s contemplative life to the United States.

Over the years, the priory grew in size and became a center of Catholic life in the Covington area. The nuns at St. Scholastica Priory lived a life of prayer, study, and work. Their presence was felt throughout the community.

However, in the early 1990s, the nuns began to age, and their numbers began to decline. Eventually, the decision was made to close the priory, and the remaining nuns moved to other communities.

Since the closing of the priory, the once-beautiful grounds have become overgrown, and the building itself is in a state of decay. However, despite its current state, the monastery still holds a particular fascination for many people in the Covington area, and some even believe it to be haunted.

There have been numerous reports of strange occurrences at the priory over the years. Some people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling an eerie presence in certain areas of the building. There have also been reports of doors and windows opening and closing on their own, and of lights turning on and off without explanation.

While it’s impossible to say for certain whether the priory is actually haunted, the stories and legends surrounding it have undoubtedly contributed to its mystique. Some people even claim that the spirits of the former nuns still reside within the building and that their presence can still be felt by those who enter. (I witnessed none of the above.)

Its beautiful architecture and rich history make it a unique and fascinating landmark, and its rumored hauntings only add to its allure. While the future of the priory remains uncertain, it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew it in its prime, and who continue to be captivated by its mystique today.