Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

1. Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation Marker

Inscription. Thomas Merton - (1915-68) Trappist monk, poet, social critic, and spiritual writer. Born in Prades, France. After education at Cambridge and Columbia Univ., he entered Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Ky., 1941; ordained as priest, 1949. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1948), earned international acclaim. He is buried in abbey cemetery.

A Revelation Merton had a sudden insight at this corner Mar. 18, 1958, that led him to redefine his monastic identity with greater involvement in social justice issues. He was "suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people...." He found them "walking around shining like the sun."
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander.

Erected 1998 by Kentucky Historical Society. (Marker Number 2004.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1958.

Location. 38° 15.072′ N, 85° 45.456′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of West Muhammed Ali Boulevard and South Fourth Street, on the right when traveling west on West Muhammed Ali Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Seelbach Hotel, 1905 (a few steps from this marker); Sit-in Demonstration Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Rotary Club of Louisville / Henry Watterson Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue Boar Cafeteria (within shouting distance of this marker); Sit-In Demonstration Site (about

A Revelation Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

2. A Revelation Marker

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil Rights Movement Overview - Fourth Street Sit-In Demonstration Sites (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Sit-in Demonstration Site (about 400 feet away); James Guthrie (1792-1869) (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Merton’s Mystical Vision in Louisville. Article on Spiritual Travels site. (Submitted on January 14, 2020.)

2. Thomas Merton at Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 15, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2022

3. Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation Marker

Stone Monument to Thomas Merton at base of marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

4. Stone Monument to Thomas Merton at base of marker.

The “monument” is attached to a bike rack.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2020. This page has been viewed 880 times since then and 288 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 5, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.