Monastery plans near Cochise Stronghold get first OK

Plans to build a Greek Orthodox monastery atop a hill near the scenic Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains are worrying some property owners in the area.

The rural land-use proposal in Cochise County south of Tucson was given preliminary approval by the county’s planners, who say it fits the county’s development plan. In the approval, the county granted Theotokos Greek
Orthodox Monastery variances that would allow them to exceed height restrictions, but required that the project undergo a series of public hearings as the work progresses.

Opponents of the monastery, which would be built on a hilltop in the midst of a 481-acre, privately owned parcel, say it would destroy the beauty of the mountain retreat where Cochise and his people once sought refuge.

Now a portion of Coronado National Forest, the Stronghold itself comprises about 700 acres. It is a portion of the Dragoon Mountains, two canyons defined by steep, rugged rock escarpments. In the mid-1800s, it was a way-station for the Chiricahua Apache band led by Cochise, from whom it
derived its name. Cochise died and was burned in the Stronghold.

The monastery project would include a vegetable garden on 10 acres, an orchard with apple, plum and nectarine trees, a visitors center where books and crafts would be sold, and facilities for housing up to 70 monks, as well as quarters for visitors.

Both the monastery group and a group of opponents to the project have voiced objections to the county’s preliminary decision, and have filed appeals. Those opposed object to the hilltop location for the monastery, saying its presence will mar the pristine quality of the Stronghold. The monastery group objects to the series of public hearings, which they
contend will unnecessarily bog down the project.

Construction plans will depend upon the outcome of the appeals, but will be a gradual process over a period of years. The monastery would be built in natural stone in subdued colors to blend in with the environment, according to plans filed with the county.

Among vocal opponents to the monastery is Karen Weilecher, who lives in Los Angeles and owns a cabin in the Stronghold – on one of a handful of privately owned parcels there – and visits there many times a year.

She is concerned about the impact the monastery will have on the area.

“When you drive toward the east entrance to the Stronghold, a prominent feature is Rockfellow Dome. It’s very visible, a very beautiful gateway into the Dragoons.

“The hill they want to build on top of, though a mile distant, appears to be at the base of Rockfellow Dome.

“The desert is a flat land, and even something two stories tall stands out,” she said.

The proposed monastery site is about two miles from the Coronado National Forest property line, and about 2.5 miles from the Stronghold proper.

Father Nektarios (“Father Nick”) Arvanitakis, one of the monks in charge of building the facility, is based at St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence.

He said there appears to be misinformation circulating about the proposed Cochise Stronghold monastery, and that the project is mistakenly being described as a “six-story monastery” on top of a hill. “We don’t plan anything close to that.”

In fact, he said, the monastery will be only two or three stories, though a bell tower – 15 feet square – is expected to be 65 to 80 feet tall. The overall project is expected to take five to 10 years to complete.

Eve Searle, owner and operator of Grapevine Canyon Ranch Inc., is among those opposed to the project.

She says “it would be very awful.”

Searle said “Cochise Stronghold is one of the most important aspects of Cochise County – very significant, with a rock cliff face and fabulous National Forest campground.”

“We’re up in arms about it,” she said.

“We have a guest ranch, and a lot of our guests come from overseas – some especially to see Cochise Stronghold.

“They’re very knowledgeable about the Indians, and that’s one of the appeals.”

Ruey Darrow, chairwoman of the Chiricahua-Warm Springs Apache Tribe at Apache, Okla., whose people occupied Cochise Stronghold more than a century ago, said she is “really very upset.”

“I don’t think they ought to do that. I would be concerned about it – to look at the area and have that church right in front of it.”

She added that she has nothing against the church, but objects to its placement in such a prominent fashion.

“The tribe has 4 acres, right in that canyon there. And we treasure that. It is a place back in our own country, and we’re very proud of it. We would urge those folks to consider a different location.”

The county has until the third week in July to hear the appeals in the case.