45 Underrated Religious College Towns Across America You'll Fall in Love With

41. Loretto, Pennsylvania: A Franciscan Forest Sanctuary

Tucked in the wooded hills of western Pennsylvania, Loretto is home to Saint Francis University—one of the oldest Catholic universities in the country—and the peaceful Saint Francis Friary. The town’s spiritual heartbeat lies in its deep Franciscan roots, evident in its forested prayer trails, rustic chapels, and reverent pace of life. The Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, with its vivid murals and twin spires, rises unexpectedly among the trees. Visitors can explore the historic campus, attend vespers, or wander the grounds where the spirit of simplicity, service, and nature-based spirituality quietly guides the rhythm of daily life.