in 1953, the communists expelled all foreign priests as well as all religious brothers and sisters from the country. forced to leave china behind, in 1955 the monks purchased the hidden springs ranch where the monastery is now located. st. andrew's priory thus began its ministry in valyermo, which is located in the high desert of southern california and within the boundaries of the archdiocese of los angeles. it is not far from the communities of palmdale, lancaster and wrightwood, california.