Except for those attending rural Saint John’s University, most will find Saint John’s Abbey, one Minnesota monastery among only a few, to be somewhat off the beaten path. Unless you already knew it was there, you probably wouldn’t have the good fortune to chance upon it. Now that you know, however, the good news is that you can visit and even stroll the grounds to enjoy a little peace and solitude.

Saint John’s Abbey was founded in 1856 by a group of 16 monks who had traveled from Pennsylvania to central Minnesota.

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The brothers established what is now Saint John’s University a year later in 1857.

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The monastery and its university were relocated to their present site, on the shores of Lake Sagatagan, a decade later in 1866.

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Although, today, it supports an older and smaller population of Benedictine monks, St. John’s Abbey is still a vital Catholic center in the Upper Midwest.

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The abbey welcomes visitors to its regular worship services, and tours can be arranged through the abbey.

Saint John’s Abbey/Facebook Visitors will also enjoy the striking architecture and carefully-tended gardens.

The grounds are replete with iconography, statuary, and other artistic gracenotes.

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A guest house, as well as the abbey’s chapter house, are open to the public through the monastery.

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The lakeshore is the perfect place for reflection.

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Visitors may also seek solitude on the trails that traverse the grounds and campus.

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When you visit Saint John’s Abbey, you’ll feel grateful that you made the trip.

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While you’re visiting the area, head up to nearby Sauk Centre. It’s only about half an hour away, and you’ll find much to explore, including the boyhood home of Nobel Prize-winning writer Sinclair Lewis.

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Visitors will also enjoy the striking architecture and carefully-tended gardens.

Facebook/Saint John’s Abbey

Have you visited Saint John’s Abbey or any of Minnesota’s other monasteries?

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Address: St John’s Abbey, 2900 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN 56321, USA