Your Stay

Your Stay

What to Expect

L'Abri is a place where we try to take all genuine questions seriously.  Our foundational belief is that Christianity as found in the Bible is true.  This means that a commitment to the God of the Bible is rational and that faith is never divorced from reason.  Moreover, because Christianity is true, not only can it be discussed intellectually, it can also be passionately imagined and practically lived out as the Truth.

We believe that the life-affirming truth of Christianity speaks to all of human life and thought.  This means our lives are not divided between 'sacred' and 'secular' activities, and that Christian faith integrates all of human life, including our minds, our hearts, our work, our play, and our relationships.  This also means that art, history, philosophy, economics, psychology, education, politics, science, contemporary society, and all other realms of thought can be examined from a Biblical viewpoint.

Whether you are a Christian or not, you will be welcome, and your questions and concerns will be taken seriously.  You will have an opportunity to reflect on the bigger questions and issues of Life in an open atmosphere of discussion and learning and with the assistance of personal tutorials.  L'Abri has been many things to many people over the years, and one of its strengths has been its flexible, individual-oriented focus over and against more straight forward programs.

As at any L'Abri, the daily routine is geared towards a balanced community life of study, work and rest, conversation and prayer.  Meals are eaten together, and meal times provide occasion for group discussion.  Study and personal tutorials are supplemented by occasional lectures.  Everyone will share in taking care of the necessary practical chores, which include cooking, cleaning, and outdoor work.

One of the helpful things about being at L'Abri is that intellectual pursuits and discussion are mixed into the 'real daily life' of living in community and working at all kinds of practical tasks.  This provides a place where people can begin to integrate their faith into all areas of life.  This kind of integration is important in our increasingly compartmentalized world, and can be very freeing, though it is not glamorous.  Though there are lots of mundane chores to be done, some perpetual disorganization and not enough space for visitors to have private rooms, the vast majority of people find that there is a reality to this community environment that is very helpful.

Term Dates & Fees

Dates:

Spring Term:   March 1 - March 31, 2024

First Summer Term:    June 1 - July 7, 2024

Second Summer Term:      July 29 - September 8, 2024

Fall Term:       November 1 - 24, 2024
 Fees:
The fees for the Rochester branch are $30.00 per student per day, which is all-inclusive and covers accommodation and three meals a day.
Other Dates:

Rochester L'Abri Conferences:  We are planning a 2025 Conference at the Mayo Civic Center over February 14th & 15th.
(click here for more information)

St. Louis L'Abri Extension: Click here for more information


Making a Reservation

It is always best to make reservations in advance by contacting us by email at rochester@labri.org or by phone at (507) 536-0108. You can come for any length of time that suits you as long as it falls within the posted term dates.  Let us know your full name, gender, where you will be coming from, and the dates that you would like to attend. Please notify us as soon as possible of any changes to your schedule - our space is limited and we would like to make space available to others.  We will confirm your reservation once we receive your request.  Please note in your reservation request if you have any dietary limitations or restrictions in order to help us accommodate your needs.  When coming at the beginning of a student term, please arrive on the first day of term and not the day before.  Once you have made your travel plans, please let us know your approximate time of arrival.  All ages are welcome at the Rochester L'Abri but we cannot accommodate minors under 18 without an accompanying parent.

Directions & Map

Directions

By Car
From the north (the Twin Cities) - take Hwy 52 South approximately 75 miles to the 19th Street exit; turn left onto Elton Hills Drive and follow to Broadway (Hwy 63); make a right turn onto Broadway and follow to 14th Street NE; turn left onto 14th Street NE and follow until you reach 12th Avenue NE; make a left onto 12th Avenue NE; the L'Abri driveway goes up the hill at the end of the cul-de-sac.

From the south and Rochester Airport - take Broadway (Hwy 63) north through Rochester until you reach 14th Street NE; make a right onto 14th Street NE and follow until you reach 12th Avenue NE; make a left onto 12th Avenue NE; the L'Abri driveway goes up the hill at the end of the cul-de-sac.


By Air
Flights into the Rochester Airport are available on Delta and American Airlines and we would be happy to pick you up if you choose to fly in here.  For those flying into the Twin Cities Airport in Minneapolis (which can often be cheaper), there is a shuttle van which will take you from the airport to the Kahler Hotel in downtown Rochester, where we would be happy to pick you up.  You can get further information and make reservations for the Rochester shuttle at www.rochestershuttleservice.com.  Please contact us for more details and to make arrangements.
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