Rendering courtesy of The James Bryant Group This rendering of a monastery of a Russian Orthodox Church on Vashon Island in Washington’s Puget Sound resembles a Russian Orthodox skete, a smaller version of a monastery, that is planned off Highway 53 west of Rathdrum. The property owner is seeking a conditional-use permit through Kootenai County for the use.
For years, Elene Schumacher has wanted to donate land for a quiet place of worship for the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Rathdrum-area property owner believes the right scenario has surfaced to make that happen.
Schumacher is seeking a conditional-use permit from Kootenai County for a skete and a private cemetery for Russian Orthodox monks on 22 vacant acres in an agricultural suburban zone between Highway 53 and Hidden Valley Road west of Rathdrum.
Schumacher said a skete, which has domes and bells on top of the chapel, is smaller than a monastery and allows for communal services. She plans to donate the land for the purpose.
