Buried Treasure: The legend of Ephrata Cloister’s hidden golden chalice

In August, I enjoyed a VIP tour at Ephrata Cloister, where I explored the second and third floors of the Saron (the Sisters’ House) and Saal (the Meetinghouse), which are typically closed to the public.

During my visit, I learned several interesting facts about the people who once lived there. Here’s just one.

The first credited female composers in North America lived and wrote their music at the Ephrata Cloister. The Solitary Sisters wrote intricate hymn melodies and texts during the 1740s, intended to be sung at worship services. Several compositions and lyrics in the illuminated manuscript known as the “Ephrata Codex” are attributed to Sister Föben (Christiana Lassie), Sister Ketura (Catherine Hagaman), and Sister Hanna (Hannah Lichty). Keep an eye out for a future post with more information on my visit.

While researching the Cloister for my article, I came across a buried treasure story hinted at in a September 1963 edition of the Lancaster New Era newspaper. That summer, state archeologists conducted the first scientific excavation at Ephrata Cloister. In addition to unearthing the original stone foundations of the 1735-1740 buildings, the team also recovered various American, English, and Spanish coins ranging in date from 1698 to 1804.

According to Ephrata residents, the King of Austria gave a golden chalice to the Cloister as a reward for their deep religious piety. The community’s leader, Conrad Beissel, decided the gift was far too worldly for the plain-living Solitary Ones. Legend has it that Beissel buried the opulent goblet on the campus in a cave, around or even under Mount Zion. The golden artifact has never been found.

The newspaper article said that shortly after they started digging, the scientists heard whispers of nearby buried treasure from Ephrata residents. Here’s the story they were told.

In the quiet town of Ephrata, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, there existed a community of devout souls known as the Ephrata Cloister. Led by their spiritual guide, Conrad Beissel, these pious men and women were dedicated to a life of plain living and humble devotion. Their monastic settlement stood as a testament to their unwavering commitment to a simple, God-centered existence.

One fateful day, news arrived that filled its residents’ hearts with awe and trepidation. Archduke of Austria Charles VI, a ruler known for his extravagant tastes and lavish gifts, had sent a remarkable offering across the ocean to this quiet corner of the New World.

Word spread like wildfire. As the carriage bearing the royal gift arrived in Ephrata, the town square transformed into a spectacle of opulence as the King’s emissaries unveiled the astonishing golden treasure. The townsfolk marveled at the wealth that now lay before them, a stark contrast to their simple frontier lives.

Conrad Beissel, a man of deep spiritual conviction and the leader of the Ephrata Cloister, looked at the shimmering gold chalice and felt a weight descend upon his heart. He understood that these worldly riches clashed with the essence of their humble existence, their devotion to plain living, and their commitment to a life of spiritual purity.

However, Beissel had a secret plan. He knew that the gold was a distraction from their spiritual journey, no matter how magnificent. So, under the cover of night, Beissel and a few of his most trusted followers embarked on a mission to safeguard their community’s devotion.

With shovels in hand, they traversed deep within a small limestone cave on a secluded edge of the campus grounds. They buried the King’s golden gift there, placing it in a hidden chamber known only to a select few.

In the years that followed, the gold goblet remained concealed, a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Ephrata Cloister to their simple way of life. The locals eventually forgot about the luxurious gift, focusing instead on the struggles of their daily colonial life.

Legend holds that this opulent golden chalice remains hidden still today in this simple limestone cave.

This wouldn’t be the first mysterious item to be hidden in the grounds at the Cloister. Buried beneath three feet of earth, a remarkable object emerged during a 1995 archaeological dig at the historic site—a fragile, hand-blown glass trumpet unlike any other in North America. Discovered in a refuse pit dating to the early 1730s, this elegant yet delicate instrument defies easy explanation. The Ephrata Cloister was an 18th-century religious community known for its strict spiritual discipline, vows of celibacy, and austere lifestyle. Music, if present at all, was vocal and contemplative—certainly not the domain of ornate European instruments. So what was this worldly trumpet doing there?

Archaeologists and historians have puzzled over its presence ever since. One leading theory is that the trumpet, likely imported from Europe and too extravagant for the community’s values, was intentionally buried, perhaps rejected as a symbol of vanity or temptation. Some speculate it may have been a gift, quietly discarded to avoid offending the giver while preserving the community’s spiritual integrity. Whatever its origins, the glass trumpet remains a captivating enigma, a glimmering contradiction buried in a place devoted to simplicity and silence. Now on exhibit at the Ephrata Cloister, it invites visitors to ponder the stories that history doesn’t always tell.

Read More

Read more stories like this in my first full-length book, Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure. This 283-page book is packed with 64 unforgettable stories, all set right here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Planning Your Trip

While there is unlikely to be any buried treasure at the Ephrata Cloister, they possess countless priceless historical artifacts, so I strongly recommend planning a visit. The Ephrata Cloister is located at 632 W Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522. It is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Click here for additional visitation details.

---

Adventure Awaits!

Never miss a new article by signing up for email updates below. Be sure to follow Uncharted Lancaster on Facebook or Instagram for exclusive content.

---

Resources

• Archeologists Unearth Original Cloister Wall – Lancaster New Era 06 Sep 1963, Fri · Page 2

The Ephrata Cloister: Unveiling the Mystical History of a Religious Utopia

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County, the Ephrata Cloister is a testament to a unique and enigmatic chapter in American history. This preserved historic site offers a glimpse into a mystical religious community that thrived during the 18th century, leaving behind a legacy of extraordinary devotion, artistry, and a profound connection with the divine. Click the link to discover the captivating story of the Ephrata Cloister.