The Monastery of St. Clare in Brenham became well-known for its miniature horses and the nuns who care for them. Now new owners are calling the monastery home.

In June it was an end to an era for the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns at the Monastery of St. Clare in Brenham. But if you ask Sister Alicia of the Pax Christi Sisters, it is a new beginning.

"We like it because it's a very peaceful place, we really like nature," said Sister Alicia of the Pax Christi Sisters.

Originally from Mexico, Sister Alicia has been in the congregation for 25 years and says she and her two sisters are thrilled to bring their ministry from coastal Corpus Christi to the plains of Washington County.

The Pax Christi Sisters bought the monastery from the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns in February; in June they moved in.

“The difference between them and us is that we are active sisters we can go outside and teach to the parishes and go to other places to teach and to go help people with like family counseling."

While the Poor Clare Sisters have moved on, the tiny miniature horses however, are here to stay.

"The horses are still here, not as many as there were before but they belong to Mr. And Mrs. Chandler. They are working for us now, and we have an agreement with them so as long as they continue living here, the horses will be here,” added Sister Alicia.

Renovations and remodeling are currently underway and the plan is to have a public retreat open by January 2012.

"I want people to come here and feel like home; I want for it to be a place where people can come and do their weddings and other events," said Sister Alicia.

Not only is it a place of worship, for the Pax Christi Sisters it's a new chapter in what will soon become their serene sanctuary. The miniature horse farm is open to the public.