Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph, Tehachapi

What it is

A cloistered community of more than forty Norbertine canonesses in the Tehachapi Mountains, founded in 1997 with the help of St. Michael's Abbey and made an independent canonry in 2011. The sisters sing the full liturgy and support themselves with a farm, cheese, a gift shop and dog breeding.

What it needs

The community says it is at capacity in its present building and tiny temporary chapel and is running out of room for new vocations, while the 1960s ranch house that holds the chapel is deteriorating. Ground was broken on 5 June 2026 for phase two, a two-story living-quarters building of about 30,000 square feet bringing capacity to 70 sisters; phase three is a permanent monastic church. Gifts go to the 'Help Us Build' fund, including a 'One Day Wage' appeal.

Before you act. The priory publishes no cost, target or amount raised for either phase. The cloisteredlife.com listing gives 33 professed members; the priory's own pages say more than forty sisters.

Sources

• Help Us Build (campaign page, update of 21 August 2026) (21 August 2026)
• Construction news (21 August 2026)
• Monastery Expansion
• Norbertine Canonesses listing, cloisteredlife.com
• The California nuns who raise dogs, make cheese, and pray always (Catholic World Report / CNA) (10 March 2025)
• Support Our Life (donation page with legal name and tax ID)

Last checked 9 November 2026. Responsible body: Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph (legal name: Norbertine Association of St. Joseph, Federal ID 33-0786385).