The Brotherhood of the Spirit (renamed Renaissance Community in 1974) was one of the largest and most enduring communes in the northeast United States and as such was a distinct link between the commune phenomenon of the 1960s and the

New Age New Age is a range of Spirituality, spiritual or Religion, religious practices and beliefs that rapidly grew in Western world, Western society during the early 1970s. Its highly eclecticism, eclectic and unsystematic structure makes a precise d ...

movement. In existence from 1968 through 1988, its rise and fall mirrored that of its charismatic and mercurial leader, Michael Metelica. The Brotherhood of the Spirit underwent several distinct identity changes during its 20-year history. The Brotherhood of the Spirit was reported in the ''

Wall Street Journal ''The Wall Street Journal'' (''WSJ''), also referred to simply as the ''Journal,'' is an American newspaper based in New York City. The newspaper provides extensive coverage of news, especially business and finance. It operates on a subscriptio ...

,'' '' Look,'' ''

Family Circle ''Family Circle'' was an American women's magazine that covered topics such as homemaking, recipes and health. It was published from 1932 until the end of 2019. Originally distributed at supermarkets, it was one of the " Seven Sisters," a grou ...

,'' and '' Mademoiselle'' magazines. They had also been featured on ''

60 Minutes ''60 Minutes'' is an American television news magazine broadcast on the CBS television network. Debuting in 1968, the program was created by Don Hewitt and Bill Leonard, who distinguished it from other news programs by using a unique style o ...

'' and the

David Frost Sir David Paradine Frost (7 April 1939 – 31 August 2013) was an English television host, journalist, comedian and writer. He rose to prominence during the satire boom in the United Kingdom when he was chosen to host the satirical programme ...

show. In 1974, the Brotherhood became the legally-recognized Renaissance Church Community and moved its operations to the mill town of Turners Falls, MA. Resentment and Metelica's increasing abusive behavior due to drug and alcohol addictions led to eventual migrations of members out of the community until 1988 when the few remaining members paid Metelica to leave and never return.

The Aftermath: 1988–2006

In 1988, the Renaissance Community as a recognizable communal entity came to an end. The commune's property was cleaned up and cooperatively managed. The various houses were sold off to private ownership or converted and renovated into separate apartments. Several contracting businesses based in Gill still exist, along with regular seminars dealing with meditation and spiritual practice. Former and current members attend reunions and discuss the community's controversial legacy. In May 2006, former member Bruce Geisler produced a documentary film about the community entitled ''Free Spirits: The Birth, Life and Loss of a New Age Dream''. For DVD,

References

External links

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Whatever Happened to the Renaissance Community? , Global Ecovillage Network United StatesWe Left Our Community but Our Community Never Left Us , Global Ecovillage Network United StatesVibesBrotherhood of the Spirit – Special Collections & University ArchivesMademoiselle
{{Coord, 42.6432, -72.4906, display=title 1970 establishments in Massachusetts 1988 disestablishments in the United States Intentional communities in the United States Warwick, Massachusetts