The first time Colton took me to his little hometown of East End, Arkansas, he drove me around in his truck to see all the sights. He showed me the Sonic, the East End Cafe, the hardware store where he worked in high school, and the backroads he loved. He finally meandered down a road not too far from his house and looked over at me with a knowing smile. “You’re going to love this,” he said as he pointed out the passenger seat window. I glanced out the window and saw the most gorgeous building I had ever seen. He explained that the building and the small lake surrounding it is Marylake Carmelite Monastery, home of the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the Province of St. Therese. Yes, there are friars in East End, Arkansas. From the moment I saw the monastery, the inner photographer/historian in me was burning to see it up close. So earlier this month, I emailed the Superior Friar, Brother John Michael Payne for the chance to tour the grounds and photograph the exterior of the building. And last week, he said yes.
We arrived on the property and immediately began to explore the immense grounds, a little dog named Basil (as in the herb) leading the way. The terrace resembles that of a Spanish mansion with ironwork accents along the cobblestone walls. I could live on that terrace alone. It was absolutely breathtaking! The grounds also feature a spillway, which offers a glorious view of the monastery building, as well as a suspension bridge, a cemetery, and various benches next to statues of saints where the friars may sit and mediate in peace.
Chic Little Honey 
Hello im trying to get in contact with john Michael Payne or whomever you speak with about the monastery thanks
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I absolutely love the photos!!!
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Thank you so much! I enjoyed taking them.
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My sister and I just passed there and it was beautiful.. I wanted her to stop but she wouldn’t..she was scared
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Oh wow, small world! The brothers who live there are very nice and the land is definitely worth seeing. I haven’t been inside, the building, but my fiance’s mom has and it’s also just as beautiful as the grounds!
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Thank you for the photos. I’m a Secular Carmelite (OCDS) and member of the Oklahoma Province. Not sure I’ll ever get to Arkansas so I really enjoyed the photos to see the monastery.
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I’m glad you enjoyed them! The monastery is a beautiful place. I love just driving past.
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My uncle was Father Raphael Kitz who lived in that Monestery for over 20 years. He just recently passed away and I flew from Minnesota to Mary Lake to say my good bye’s and I was overly impressed at how beautiful it was down there and how friendly everyone there was. So I am glad to see other people think the same thing.
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Thank you for sharing your story, and I’m so sorry for your uncle’s passing. Marylake will always have a special place in my heart. It’s beauty was truly created by the Lord.
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Amazing discovery! There are so many surprises in our beautiful state.
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I agree! The monastery is absolutely beautiful and has such a rich history. It’s definitely an Arkansas treasure!
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Amazing pictures would love a tour.thanks always wondered about the monsetery
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Thank you! The monastery truly is a remarkable place.
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Thanks you so much for sharing your pictures of Marylake. My brother-in-law and his wife live not far from the monastery and we have driven by several times just so I can get a look at it. I have taken a few pictures from the road but nothing as beautiful as yours. I would so love to be able to tour the grounds and enjoy the peace they seem to bring to me as we drive by. We will be visiting our family in October and told my husband we just had to drive by so I can have another look at that lovely setting.
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Thank you for your kind words! I love driving by the monastery every time we visit my husband’s family in East End. It’s a gorgeous landmark to have in our backyard!
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Never knew such a beautiful place existed here in Arkansas took a wrong turn and ran up on this and it was seriously a breathtaking moment. Beautiful and of course I was about to get hit in traffic I had to stop and take a picture 😂….
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I never knew it existed before I met my husband! I fell in love with it as soon as he drove me past for the first time.
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I grew up in East End and still own our old home place there. Mary Lake has lots of history that us East Enders love to share. From grist mill location to Shriners Country Club to Youth School to Brinkley Hospital to Monastery. We had school picnics on the back grounds and could even swim in the Lake at one time. It was Pine Lake during my childhood. Lots of memories from East End and this property is one of the most memorable. Thanks for sharing your photos and comments. Love it.
Jerry Carlton
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East End has some beautiful places! The monastery is definitely my favorite. I make a point to drive by every time I go back. Thank you for sharing!
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Every so often, the Arkansas Territorial and Restoration group in LR feature MaryLake tours, which includes an oratory on its rich history and open house on the grounds as well in most of the actual Monastery. I would recommend that those who would be interested, contact the group I mentioned above and see if nd when they plan to offer that again. I believe that it was 2013 when I attended the last one. It was a wonderful day and the occupants were so welcoming
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Is this open to the public? My kids want to go inside.
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Hi Crystal! I found an email through a Google search and asked permission to come tour the grounds and take photos. I set up an appointment and made a small donation for the tour. This was years ago, and I think they have a new superior now. I don’t think the grounds are open to the public.
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