Ed Cycenas stands in the consecrated chapel at Monte Christo in Siren. Cycenas built the altar, chair and other log pieces and installed wood paneling throughout the lodge. He made the stained glass Sacred Heart in the altar from a broken windshield. (Catholic Herald photo by Anita Draper)
SIREN — A retreat center under construction in Siren has closed.
Dedicated to Divine Mercy, the Monte Christo retreat center was featured in an April 2015 article in the Catholic Herald.
Owner Ed Cycenas hoped to build a series of hermitage cabins on his family’s 100-acre property and rent them for silent retreats; he envisioned a small retirement community for priests, a shrine, Fatima center and Stations of the Cross walk.
The main lodge, which was built in 2002, features a consecrated chapel, guest rooms and gathering space. The facility had hosted Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations for several years.
