Conception Abbey

Conception Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in Conception, Missouri, established in 1873 by monks from the Swiss abbey of Engelberg. It was founded both as a potential refuge from suppression by the Swiss government and in response to a request to minister to Irish and German settlers in northwest Missouri. The monastery was raised to a conventual priory in 1876 and officially elevated to an abbey in 1881, with Father Frowin Conrad serving as its first abbot.

History and Development

The founding monks, including Fathers Frowin Conrad and Meinrad Widmer, brought with them aspirations to establish a thriving monastic community in the United States. The early years saw the development of various apostolates, including education and pastoral care. The abbey played a role in the spiritual lives of the local population and established a significant educational institution. In 1880, the monastic community numbered twenty-two monks, serving several parishes in the region, and the library held approximately 3,000 volumes.

Educational and Publishing Endeavors

Conception Abbey has a strong tradition of education. It founded the College of New Engelberg in 1886, which evolved into Conception Seminary. This seminary, at its peak, educated hundreds of students aiming for the priesthood and also served as a liberal arts college. Notably, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas studied at the seminary in 1968. Another significant endeavor is The Printery House, which began as an in-house publication effort and became a recognized source for stationery featuring calligraphy and artwork.

Basilica and Notable Features

The Abbey Church of Conception, designed by Adrian Wewer, was dedicated in 1891 and later declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1941. The church is renowned for its Beuron murals, added during its reconstruction after a tornado in 1893. The monastery has also undertaken several foundations over the decades, with St. Benedict Abbey in Wisconsin and Mount Michael Abbey in Nebraska being two that continue to function. The community numbered 58 monks in 2021.

Acknowledgment of Abuse and Recent Events

In 2019, Conception Abbey's Abbot Benedict Neenan disclosed a list of eight monks with credible accusations of sex abuse, seven of whom were deceased and one removed from ministry. An additional monk was added to the list in 2020. The abbey issued an apology to victims and their families. In 2002, the monastery experienced a tragic shooting incident where a man entered the basilica and monastery, killing two monks and wounding two others before taking his own life. The motive for this event remains undetermined.