Is There Really A Hidden Monastery With Killer Monks In Michigan?

Over half of Michigan is forestland. Approximately 84% of the Upper Peninsula is comprised of forested wilderness. With so much of the state sparsely inhabited, it's natural to think there are some suspicious things taking place out of sight from the general public. You could tell me the plot of Escanaba in da Moonlight was based on a true story, and I'd believe you.

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But this story shared by Insane Clown Posse member Violent J about a monastery with killer monks in it, hidden in Michigan's wilderness, sounds so absurd that even I had to furrow my brow when I heard about it.

Where Does This Story Come From?

The question was recently posed on the r/Michigan subreddit when a user discussed how they were listening to Violent J from Insane Clown Posse's memoir and shared a story about him and his friends being attacked by "monks after coming across a secluded monastery."

It's a pretty bodacious story. The story is featured in the chapter "Monsters and Adventures", and the tale honestly sounds like it's pretty far-fetched. You can listen to the story above, and while the story is from a biography, the "monsters" part of the chapter lends itself to fiction. But that could be why the Redditor wanted to know if it was real.

READ MORE: Haunted Michigan: Map of 73 Forgotten Towns

Thankfully, a user on the thread provided a fairly accurate-sounding explanation about whether this is true or just another absurdity from a band known for its larger-than-life stories.

The Real Story?

Violent J, real name Joseph Bruce, grew up in Berkley near Lake Orion. The story goes that there is a local legend that if you were to go west on Scripps Rd toward the old Scripps Mansion, a historical landmark, you would be "chased by apparitions or mad monks" coming from the mansion because a clergy used the grounds.

They would torment anyone until they left the premises. The Reddit user, SunshineInDetroit, notes that these "mad monks" are most likely just security guards.

Alternatively, on the r/juggalo subreddit, another user claims it could be Drahner Rd. in Oxford, MI, and the monastery mentioned is the St. Benedict Monastery in the area. Overall, regardless of where the story supposedly takes place, it feels like this tale has a healthy mix of fact and fiction.

Either way, hearing Rob Bruce, aka Jumpsteady, retell the story in his own words is very entertaining.