About Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota:
Saint John’s Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Collegeville Township, Stearns County, central Minnesota (about 10 miles west of St. Cloud). It is one of the largest Benedictine abbeys in the Western Hemisphere and serves as a significant spiritual, educational, and cultural center.
Monks from Saint Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania arrived in 1856 at the request of Bishop Joseph Cretin of St. Paul to serve German Catholic immigrants in central Minnesota. They initially settled near St. Cloud before moving to the current site in Collegeville around 1864–1866, drawn to the area known as the “Beautiful Valley” (Schoenthal) near Lake Sagatagan.
The community became an abbey in 1866, electing Rupert Seidenbusch as the first abbot. Early years focused on self-sufficiency (farming, milling, brick-making) alongside education and missionary work. They established Saint John’s College (later part of Saint John’s University) and a seminary. The monks expanded pastoral work to parishes, Native American reservations (e.g., White Earth, Red Lake), and even international missions like the Bahamas.
The abbey grew substantially in the 20th century, peaking at around 404 monks in 1963. Today, it has about 110 professed monks. The abbey sits on roughly 2,740 acres of woodlands, lakes, and natural areas (including an arboretum). It is closely affiliated with Saint John’s University (for men) and the College of Saint Benedict (sister institution for women nearby). The abbey church also serves as a university church and parish. It also features an Abbey Guesthouse (offering monastic hospitality and retreats for guests of all faiths), woodworking shop, organ builders, gift shop, cemetery, and archives.
Inspired by Benedictine organ builders of the past like Dom Bédos de Celles, O.S.B. (1709-1779), as well as the influence and legacy of our own Br. Hubert Schneider, O.S.B., master woodworker, and local organ builder K.C. Marrin, their work building organs grows from teaching and mentorship that spans centuries.
For over 150 years, Saint John’s Abbey Woodworking has crafted furniture in much the same way. Utilizing wood from their own forest and traditional woodworking techniques, generations of monks and local craftsmen have designed and created custom furniture that is distinct and made to last. Today their shop seeks to honor this legacy by giving witness to the value of manual labor, stewardship and the perpetuation of craft in the 21st century.
The University Church:
The most iconic feature is the University Church, a modernist masterpiece designed by Marcel Breuer (of Bauhaus fame) and completed in 1961. It replaced earlier structures as the community and associated institutions (university, seminary, prep school) grew.
Key elements include a rapezoidal worship space without columns, designed for close participation in liturgy by monks, students, and visitors (OK, we know not everyone is a fan); a Massive cast-in-place concrete construction, a technological and architectural landmark, a prominent 112-foot concrete bell banner (with a large oak cross and bells) at the entrance.
It accommodates monks in choir plus large congregations.
The church is often cited as a milestone in modern Catholic architecture in the U.S. Earlier Romanesque Revival buildings, including parts of the historic Quadrangle (built with on-site bricks in the late 19th century), remain on campus.
Notable initiatives include The Saint John’s Bible (a renowned illuminated manuscript project) and Liturgical Press.
The monks follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, emphasizing prayer, study, and work (ora et labora). They maintain a rich liturgical prayer life with daily Masses and offices open to the public (livestreamed as well). The community welcomes guests, offers spiritual direction, and supports vocations.
The abbey remains active in education, publishing, hospitality, and environmental stewardship of its lands.Official website:— for liturgy schedules, tours, guesthouse info, vocations, and more.
It is a place of serene beauty, architectural innovation, and enduring Benedictine tradition in the American Midwest. Visitors often highlight the peaceful setting and striking church.
Traveling to Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota:
Collegeville is roughly 79 miles northwest of Minneapolis, the nearest major city with a major airport as well as Amtrak train service.
Address:
2900 Abbey Plaza
Box 2015
Collegeville, MN 56321
Email:
Abbey: SJAINFO@csbsju.edu
Vocations office: Vocations@csbsju.edu
Phone: +1 (320) 363-2011
Visit the official website of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota.