Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Purple Patch ― Ephrata Cloister ∙ One of America's earliest religious communities, the ∙ Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals ∙ rather than earthly rewards. Gathered in unique European style buildings, the ∙ community consisted of celibate Brothers and Sisters, and a married congregation ∙ of families. ∙ At the zenith of the community in the 1740s and 1750s, about ∙ 300 members worked and worshiped at the Cloister. [...].